Modulators of melanocortin receptor

ABSTRACT

This invention provides compounds and methods for treating melanocortin receptor associated disorders, such as weight loss disorders including cachexia resulting from cancer and other chronic illnesses. The compounds are represented by formula I: 
                         
wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; G is G1 or G2:
 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         L 1 , L 2 , L 3  and Q are linker groups, and Rings A, B and C, and R 1 -R 14  are described in the specification. The compounds are antagonists of melanocortin receptors.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/727,997, filed Dec. 4, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,365,070, whichclaims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/430,789,filed Dec. 4, 2002, each of which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to compounds that are modulators of melanocortinreceptors, especially melanocortin-4-receptor, MC4-R. The invention alsoprovides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds andmethods of utilizing those compositions in the treatment and preventionof various MC4-R associated disorders, such as involuntary weight loss.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Melanocortins, peptide products resulting from post-translationalprocessing of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), are known to have a broadarray of physiological activities, including affects on behavior,learning, memory, control of the cardiovascular system, analgesia,thermoregulation, and the release of other neurohumoral agents includingprolactin, luetinizing hormone, and biogenic amines (De Weid et al.Methods Achiev. Exp. Pathol. (1991) 15:167-199; De Weid et al. Physiol.Rev. (1982) 62:977-1059; Gruber, K. A. et al. Am. J. Physiol. (1989)257:R681-R694; Murphy et al. Science (1980) 210:1247-1249; Murphy et al.Science (1983) 221:192-193; Ellerkmann, E. et al. Endocrinol. (1992)130:133-138; Versteeg, D. H. G. et al. Life Sci. (1986) 835-840).Natural melanocortins include the different types of melanocytestimulating hormone (a-MSH, P-MSH, y-MSH) and ACTH. Of these, a-MSH andACTH are considered to be the main endogenous melanocortins.Physiological effects of melanocortins are mediated through themelanocortin receptors (MC-Rs), a subfamily of seven-transmembraneG-protein coupled receptors. Five different receptor subtypes (MC1-R toMC5-R) have been identified to date. While other receptor family membersare expressed in various peripheral tissues, MC3-R and MC4-R arelocalized predominantly in the CNS and brain.

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R) was identified as a melanocortinreceptor subtype which may participate in various physiologicalfunctions, including modulating the flow of visual and sensoryinformation, coordinating aspects of somatomotor control, and/orparticipating in the modulation of autonomic outflow to the heart. K. G.Mountloy et al, Science, 257.1248-125 (1992). Significantly,inactivation of this receptor by gene targeting has resulted in micethat develop a maturity onset obesity syndrome associated withhyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglycernia. D. Huszar et al.,Cell, 88: 131-41 (1997). Additional studies have further supported arole for MC4-R in metabolic regulation: MC4-R is located throughout thebrain, primarily in the satiety control regions of the hypothalamus;satiety and energy homeostasis have been shown to be regulated by MC4-R;and agonism of MC4-R leads to decreased food intake and lower bodyweight. Pritchard, L E et al Endocrin 172: 411-412 (2002); Cummings, D Eand Schwartz, M W Nature Genetics 26:8-9 (2000); and Harrold, J A et alDiabetes 48: 267-271 (1999). Still further support of a role in weightregulation is provided in recent studies demonstrating that antagonismof MC4-R leads to increased feeding and weight gain, and MC4-R knockoutmice resist cachexia induced by tumor growth Wisse, B E et alEndocrinology 142: 3292-3301 (2001); and Marks, D L et al Cancerresearch 61: 1432-1438 (2001).

MC4-R has also been implicated in processes involved in additionaldisease states, including cardiovascular disorders, neuronal injuries ordisorders, inflammation, fever, erectile disorders, and sexual behaviordisorders. M. E. Hadley and C. Haskell-Luevano, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.,885:1 (1999); Vrinten D H, et al. J Neurosci, 20:8131-7 (2000); Dunbar JC, and Lu H, Peptides, 21:211-7 (2000); Huang Q H, et al. Am J Physiol276:R864-71 (1999); and Van der Ploeg L H, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA99:11381-6 (2002).

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides compounds and methods for modulation ofmelanocortin receptors and melanocortin receptor associated disorders.One embodiment of the invention includes compounds and methods usefulfor modulation of the MC4-R receptor, including treatment of MC4-Rassociated disorders (e.g., cachexia and other weight loss disorders,such as those resulting from cancer, HIV, old age and anorexia nervosa).

The compounds, which are modulators of melanocortin receptors, includingthe MC4-R receptor, are represented by formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

-   X is oxygen or sulfur;-   G is G1, G2 or G3:

-   Ring C of G1 is an optionally substituted 5-6 membered aromatic or    non-aromatic ring having two or three ring nitrogens;-   L₁ is a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain optionally substituted by 1-3 R⁶,    wherein the alkylidene chain is optionally interrupted by —C(R¹¹)₂—,    —C(R¹¹)₂C(R¹¹)₂—, —C(R¹¹)═C(R¹¹)—, —C≡C—, —O—, —S—, —N(R¹¹),    —N(R¹⁰)CO—, —N(R¹¹)CO₂—, —CON(R¹⁰)—, —C(R¹¹)(OR¹)—, —CO—, —CO₂—,    —OC(═O), —OC(═O)N(R¹⁰)—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹⁰)SO₂—, or —SO₂N(R¹⁰)—,    and wherein L₁ or a portion thereof optionally forms part of a 3-7    membered ring;-   L₂ is a C₂₋₆ alkylidene chain optionally substituted by 1-3 R⁶,    wherein the alkylidene chain is optionally interrupted by —C(R¹¹)₂—,    —C(R¹¹)₂C(R¹¹)₂—, —C(R¹¹)═C(R¹¹)—, —C≡C—, —O—, —S—, —N(R¹)₂—,    —N(R¹⁰)CO—, —N(R¹⁰)CO₂—, —CON(R¹⁰)—, —C(R¹¹)(OR¹)—, —CO—, —CO₂—,    —OC(═O), —OC(═O)N(R¹⁰)—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹⁰)SO₂—, or —SO₂N(R¹⁰)—,    and wherein L₂ or a portion thereof optionally forms part of a 3-7    membered ring;-   L₃ is a direct link, a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain optionally substituted    by 1-3 R⁶, wherein the alkylidene chain is optionally interrupted by    —C(R¹¹)₂—, —C(R¹¹)₂C(R¹¹)₂—, —C(R¹¹)═C(R¹¹)—, —C≡C—, —O—, —S—,    —N(R¹¹), —N(R¹⁰)CO—, —N(R¹⁰)CO₂—, —CON(R¹⁰)—, —C(R¹¹)(OR¹)—, —CO—,    —CO₂—, —OC(═O)—, —OC(═O)N(R¹⁰)—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹⁰)SO₂—, or    —SO₂N(R¹⁰)—, and wherein L₃ or a portion thereof optionally forms    part of a 3-7 membered ring;-   R¹ is hydrogen or C₁₋₆ aliphatic;-   each R² is independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₈ aliphatic,    C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₇₋₁₀ aralkyl, or, when Ring C is a 6-membered aromatic    ring R² is a lone electron pair;-   R³ is hydrogen, C₁₋₈ aliphatic, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, or C₇₋₁₀ aralkyl;-   R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁₋₈ aliphatic, C═O(C₁₋₈ aliphatic), CO₂(C₁₋₈    aliphatic), C(═O)N(R¹⁰)(C₁₋₇ aliphatic), C₆₋₁₀ aryl, heteroaryl,    C₇₋₁₂ aralkyl, or heteroaralkyl;-   R⁵ is hydrogen or C₁₋₈ aliphatic, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with    their intervening nitrogen form a substituted or unsubstituted,    aromatic or non-aromatic, 4-14 membered monocyclic, bicyclic or    tricyclic ring system having, in addition to said intervening    nitrogen, 0-4 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, sulfur or    oxygen;-   Ring A is a 5-membered heteroaryl ring or a 6-membered aromatic ring    having 0-2 ring nitrogen atoms, wherein Q and C(═X)N(R¹)-G are    attached at ortho positions on Ring A and wherein Ring A is    optionally substituted by one to three R⁷;-   Ring B is a 6-membered aromatic ring having 0-2 ring nitrogen atoms,    wherein Ring B is optionally substituted by one or more R⁸;-   Q is a C₂-C₄ alkylidene chain optionally substituted by one to three    R⁹, wherein a methylene unit of the alkylidene chain is optionally    replaced by —S—, —S(O)—, —SO₂—, —N(R¹)—, —O—, —C(O)—, or —C(S)—;-   each R⁶ is independently selected from halo, —OR¹, —CN, —C₁₋₆    aliphatic, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —C═O(C₁₋₅ aliphatic), —CO₂R¹, —CH₂CO₂R¹, or    —C(═O)N(R¹⁰)(C₁₋₅ aliphatic);-   each R⁷ is independently selected from -halo, —NO₂, —CN, or a    substituted or unsubstituted group selected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹²,    —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —(C₆₋₁₀ aryl)alkyl,    -(heterocyclyl)alkyl, -(heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,    —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,    —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂,    —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², or —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂, or two adjacent R⁷ taken together    with their intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated or    partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected from    nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;-   each R⁸ is independently selected from -halo, —NO₂, —CN, or a    substituted or unsubstituted group selected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹²,    —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —(C₆₋₁₀ aryl)alkyl,    -(heterocyclyl)alkyl, -(heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,    —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,    —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰,)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂,    —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², or —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂, or two adjacent R⁸ taken together    with their intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated or    partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected from    nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;-   each R⁹ is independently selected from halo, OR¹, CN, C₁₋₆    aliphatic, N(R¹⁰)₂, C═O(C₁₋₅ aliphatic), CO₂(C₁₋₅ aliphatic), or    C(═O)N(R¹⁰) (C₁₋₅ aliphatic), or R⁹ and an R⁷, at a position ortho    to Q, are taken together with their intervening atoms form a 5-7    membered unsaturated or partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 ring    heteroatoms selected from N, O or S;-   each R¹⁰ is independently selected from hydrogen, a substituted or    unsubstituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group, C(═O)R¹, CO₂R¹, SO₂R¹, or two    R¹⁰ on the same nitrogen taken together with the nitrogen form a 5-8    membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring having, in addition to the    nitrogen, 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S;-   each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen, CO₂R¹², CON(R¹²)₂,    OR¹², or a substituted or unsubstituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group;-   each R¹² is independently selected from a substituted or    unsubstituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group; and-   R¹⁴ is hydrogen, C₁₋₈ aliphatic, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, heteroaryl, C₇₋₁₂    aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, heterocyclyl, or R³ and R¹⁴ taken together    with their intervening nitrogens form a substituted or    unsubstituted, aromatic or non-aromatic, 4-14 membered monocyclic,    bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having, in addition to said    intervening nitrogen, 0-4 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,    sulfur or oxygen. Preferably R¹⁴ is a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring    having a ring nitrogen and 0-1 additional ring heteroatoms selected    from N, O or S. In another embodiment, R³ and R¹⁴ of G3. optionally    form a ring.

The term “aliphatic” as used herein means straight-chain, branched orcyclic C1-C12 hydrocarbons which are completely saturated or whichcontain one or more units of unsaturation but which are not aromatic.For example, suitable aliphatic groups include substituted orunsubstituted linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl groupsand hybrids thereof such as (cycloalkyl)alkyl, (cycloalkenyl)alkyl or(cycloalkyl)alkenyl. The terms “alkyl”, “alkoxy”, “hydroxyalkyl”,“alkoxyalkyl”, and “alkoxycarbonyl”, used alone or as part of a largermoiety include both straight and branched chains containing one totwelve carbon atoms. The terms “alkenyl.” and “alkynyl” used alone or aspart of a larger moiety include both straight and branched chainscontaining two to twelve carbon atoms. The term “cycloalkyl” used aloneor as part of a larger moiety include cyclic C₃-C₁₂ hydrocarbons whichare completely saturated or which contain one or more units ofunsaturation, but which are not aromatic. The term “alkoxy” refers to an—O-alkyl radical.

The terms “haloalkyl”, “haloalkenyl” and “haloalkoxy” mean alkyl,alkenyl or alkoxy, as the case may be, substituted with one or morehalogen atoms. The term “halogen” or “halo” means F, Cl, Br, or I.

The term “heteroatom” means nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur and includes anyoxidized form of nitrogen and sulfur, and the quaternized form of anybasic nitrogen. Also the term “nitrogen” includes a substitutablenitrogen of a heterocyclic ring. As an example, in a saturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-3 heteroatoms selected from oxygen,sulfur or nitrogen, the nitrogen may be N (as in3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrrolyl), NH (as in pyrrolidinyl) or NR+ (as inN-substituted pyrrolidinyl).

The term “carbocycle”, “carbocyclyl”, “carbocyclo”, or “carbocyclic” asused herein means an aliphatic ring system having three to fourteenmembers. The term “carbocycle”, “carbocyclyl”, “carbocyclo”, or“carbocyclic” whether saturated or partially saturated, also refers torings that are optionally substituted. The term “carbocycle”,“carbocyclyl”, “carbocyclo”, or “carbocyclic” also includes aliphaticrings that are fused to one or more aromatic or nonaromatic rings, suchas in a decahydronaphthyl or tetrahydronaphthyl, where the radical orpoint of attachment is on the aliphatic ring.

The term “aryl” used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in“aralkyl”, “aralkoxy”, or “aryloxyalkyl”, refers to mono-, bi-, ortricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ring systems having five to fourteenmembers, such as phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl,1-anthracyl and 2-anthracyl. The term “aryl” also refers to rings thatare optionally substituted. The term “aryl” may be used interchangeablywith the term “aryl ring”. “Aryl” also includes fused polycyclicaromatic ring systems in which an aromatic ring is fused to one or morerings. Examples include 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 1-anthracyl and2-anthracyl. Also included within the scope of the term “aryl”, as it isused herein, is a group in which an aromatic ring is fused to one ormore non-aromatic rings, such as in an indanyl, phenanthridinyl; ortetrahydronaphthyl, where the radical or point of attachment is on thearomatic ring. The term “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl group substitutedby an aryl. Examples of aralkyl groups include, but are not limited to,benzyl and phenethyl.

The term “heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, or “heterocyclic” unlessotherwise indicated includes non-aromatic ring systems having five tofourteen members, preferably five to ten, in which one or more ringcarbons, preferably one to four, are each replaced by a heteroatom suchas N, O, or S. Examples of heterocyclic rings include3-1H-benzimidazol-2-one, (1-substituted)-2-oxo-benzimidazol-3-yl,2-tetrahydrofuranyl, 3-tetrahydrofuranyl, 2-tetrahydropyranyl,3-tetrahydropyranyl, 4-tetrahydropyranyl, [1,3]-dioxalanyl,[1,3]-dithiolanyl, [1,3]-dioxanyl, 2-tetrahydrothiophenyl,3-tetrahydrothiophenyl, 2-morpholinyl, 3-morpholinyl, 4-morpholinyl,2-thiomorpholinyl, 3-thiomorpholinyl, 4-thiomorpholinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl,2-pyrrolidinyl, 3-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperazinyl, 2-piperazinyl,1-piperidinyl, 2-piperidinyl, 3-piperidinyl, 4-piperidinyl,4-thiazolidinyl, diazolonyl, N-substituted diazolonyl, 1-phthalimidinyl,benzoxanyl, benzopyrrolidinyl, benzopiperidinyl, benzoxolanyl,benzothiolanyl, and benzothianyl. Also included within the scope of theterm “heterocyclyl” or “heterocyclic”, as it is used herein, is a groupin which a non-aromatic heteroatom-containing ring is fused to one ormore aromatic or non-aromatic rings, such as in an indolinyl, chromanyl,phenanthridinyl, or tetrahydroquinolinyl, where the radical or point ofattachment is on the non-aromatic heteroatom-containing ring. The term“heterocycle”, “heterocyclyl”, or “heterocyclic” whether saturated orpartially unsaturated, also refers to rings that are optionallysubstituted. The term “heterocyclylalkyl” refers to an alkyl groupsubstituted by a heterocyclyl.

The term “heteroaryl”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety as in“heteroaralkyl” or “heteroarylalkoxy”, refers to heteroaromatic ringgroups having five to fourteen members, preferably five to ten, in whichone or more ring carbons, preferably one to four, are each replaced by aheteroatom such as N, O, or S. Examples of heteroaryl rings include2-furanyl, 3-furanyl, N-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl,5-imidazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 2-oxadiazolyl,5-oxadiazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 1-pyrrolyl,2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 3-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl,2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidyl, 4-pyrimidyl, 5-pyrimidyl,3-pyridazinyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl, 5-tetrazolyl,2-triazolyl, 5-triazolyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, carbazolyl,benzimidazolyl, benzothienyl, benzofuranyl, indolyl, quinolinyl,benzotriazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzooxazolyl, benzimidazolyl,isoquinolinyl, indazolyl, isoindolyl, acridinyl, or benzoisoxazolyl.Also included within the scope of the term “heteroaryl”, as it is usedherein, is a group in which a heteroaromatic ring is fused to one ormore aromatic or nonaromatic rings where the radical or point ofattachment is on the heteroaromatic ring. Examples includetetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, andpyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidinyl. The term “heteroaryl” also refers to ringsthat are optionally substituted. The term “heteroaryl” may be usedinterchangeably with the term “heteroaryl ring” or the term“heteroaromatic”. The term “heteroaralkyl” refers to an alkyl groupsubstituted by a heteroaryl.

The term “linker group” or “linker” means an organic moiety thatconnects two parts of a compound. Linkers are typically comprised of anatom such as oxygen or sulfur, a unit such as —NH—, —CH₂—, —C(O)—,—C(O)NH—, or a chain of atoms, such as an alkylidene chain. Themolecular mass of a linker is typically in the range of about 14 to 200,preferably in the range of 14 to 96 with a length of up to about sixatoms. Examples of linkers include a saturated or unsaturated C₁₋₆alkylidene chain which is optionally substituted, and wherein one or twosaturated carbons of the chain are optionally replaced by —C(O)—,—C(O)C(O)—, —CONH—, —CONHNH—, —CO₂—, —OC(O)—, —NHCO₂—, —O—, —NHCONH—,—OC(O)NH—, —NHNH—, —NHCO—, —S—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —NH—, —SO₂NH—, or —NHSO₂—.

The term “alkylidene chain” refers to an optionally substituted,straight or branched carbon chain that may be fully saturated or haveone or more units of unsaturation. The optional substituents are asdescribed above for an aliphatic group. Alkylidene chain used hereininclude alkylidene chains containing 0-4 fluorine substituents.

An aryl (including the aryl moiety in aralkyl, aralkoxy, aryloxyalkyland the like) or heteroaryl (including the heteroaryl moiety inheteroaralkyl and heteroarylalkoxy and the like) group may contain oneor more substituents. Examples of suitable substituents on theunsaturated carbon atom of an aryl or heteroaryl group include ahalogen, —R*, —OR*, —SR*, 1,2-methylene-dioxy, 1,2-ethylenedioxy,protected OH (such as acyloxy), phenyl (Ph), substituted Ph, —O(Ph),substituted —O(Ph), —CH₂(Ph), substituted —CH₂(Ph), —CH₂CH₂(Ph),substituted —CH₂CH₂(Ph), —NO2, —CN, —N(R*)₂, —NR*C(O)R*, —NR*C(O)N(R*)₂,—NR*CO₂R*, —NR*NR*C(O)R*, —NR*NR*C(O)N(R*)₂, —NR*NR*CO₂R*, —C(O)C(O)R*,—C(O)CH₂C(O)R*, —CO₂R*, —C(O)R*, —C(O)N(R*)₂, —OC(O)N(R*)₂, —S(O)₂R*,—SO₂N(R*)₂, —S(O)R*, —NR*SO₂N(R*)₂, —NR*SO₂R*, —C(═S)N(R*)₂,—C(═NH)—N(R*)₂, —(CH₂)_(y)NHC(O)R*, —(CH₂)_(y)NHC(O)CH(Y—R*)(R*);wherein each R* is independently selected from hydrogen, a substitutedor unsubstituted aliphatic group, an unsubstituted heteroaryl orheterocyclic ring, phenyl (Ph), substituted Ph, —O(Ph), substituted—O(Ph), —CH₂(Ph), or substituted —CH₂(Ph); y is 0-6; and Y is a linkergroup. Examples of substituents on the aliphatic group or the phenylring of R* include amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminocarbonyl,halogen, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl,alkylaminocarbonyloxy, dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, alkoxy, nitro, cyano,carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy, haloalkoxy, orhaloalkyl.

An aliphatic group or a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring may contain oneor more substituents. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “aliphatic”means substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic groups. Examples ofsuitable substituents on the saturated carbon of an aliphatic group orof a non-aromatic heterocyclic ring include those listed above for theunsaturated carbon of an aryl or heteroaryl group and the following: ═O,═S, ═NNHR*, ═NN(R*)₂, ═N—, ═NNHC(O)R*, ═NNHCO₂(alkyl), ═NNHSO₂(alkyl),or ═NR*, where each R* is independently selected from hydrogen, anunsubstituted aliphatic group or a substituted aliphatic group. Examplesof substituents on the aliphatic group include amino, alkylamino,dialkylamino, aminocarbonyl, halogen, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl,dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyloxy, dialkylaminocarbonyloxy,alkoxy, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy,haloalkoxy, or haloalkyl. Preferred halogen substitutions on analiphatic group are fluorine. Aliphatic groups used herein can includealiphatic groups containing 0-4 fluorine substituents.

Suitable substituents on the nitrogen of a non-aromatic heterocyclicring include —R⁺, —N(R⁺)₂, —C(O)R⁺, —CO₂R⁺, —C(O)C(O)R⁺, —C(O)CH₂C(O)R⁺,—SO₂R⁺, —SO₂N(R⁺)₂, —C(═S)N(R⁺)₂, —C(═NH)—N(R⁺)₂, and —NR+SO₂R⁺; whereineach R⁺ is independently selected from hydrogen, an unsubstitutedaliphatic group, a substituted aliphatic group, phenyl (Ph), substitutedPh, —O(Ph), substituted —O(Ph), CH₂(Ph), substituted CH₂(Ph), or anunsubstituted heteroaryl or heterocyclic ring. Examples of substituentson the aliphatic group or the phenyl ring include amino, alkylamino,dialkylamino, aminocarbonyl, halogen, alkyl, alkylaminocarbonyl,dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyloxy, dialkylaminocarbonyloxy,alkoxy, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkylcarbonyl, hydroxy,haloalkoxy, or haloalkyl.

A combination of substituents or variables is permissible only if such acombination results in a stable or chemically feasible compound. Astable compound or chemically feasible compound is one in which thechemical structure is not substantially altered when kept at atemperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of moisture or otherchemically reactive conditions, for at least a week or, a compound whichmaintains its integrity long enough to be useful for therapeutic orprophylactic administration to a patient.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that certain compounds ofthis invention may exist in tautomeric forms, all such tautomeric formsof the compounds being within the scope of the invention. Unlessotherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant to includeall stereochemical forms of the structure; i.e., the R and Sconfigurations for each asymmetric center. Therefore, singlestereochemical isomers as well as enantiomeric and diastereomericmixtures of the present compounds are within the scope of the invention.Unless otherwise stated, structures depicted herein are also meant toinclude compounds which differ only in the presence of one or moreisotopically enriched atoms. For example, compounds having the presentstructure except for the replacement of a hydrogen atom by a deuteriumor tritium, or the replacement of a carbon atom by a ¹³C- or¹⁴C-enriched carbon are within the scope of this invention.

The present compounds contain an acylguanidine moiety or anacylguanidine-like moiety that may be constrained in a ring system ormay be an open chain as shown below in formulae I-A, I-B, and I-C.

The Ring C moiety in I-A is an optionally substituted 5-6 memberedaromatic or non-aromatic ring. Examples of Ring C include those shown inTable 1 below.

TABLE 1 Examples of Ring C C-1

C-2

C-3

C-4

C-5

C-6

Preferred Ring C moieties are rings C-1 and C-2 shown in Table 1. Ring Cmay be substituted or unsubstituted. Suitable Ring C substituents,designated as R¹³, include hydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic, or a substituentselected from the group consisting of COR¹, CO₂R¹, CN, —N(R₁₀)₂,CON(R¹⁰)₂, —OR¹, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₇₋₁₂ aralkyl, C₅₋₁₀ heteroaryl, C₅₋₁₀heterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₂ heterocyclylalkyl, and C₆₋₁₂ heteroaralkyl.Alternatively, two R¹³ on the same carbon taken together form ═O, or twoR¹³ taken together with their intervening atoms form a 3-7 membered ringhaving 0-2 ring heteroatoms. Preferably, Ring C is unsubstituted orsubstituted with C₁₋₄ alkyl.

When R¹ and/or R² are hydrogen, the present compounds may exist invarious tautomeric forms as shown in Eq. 1 below. The depiction ordescription (including in the claims) of any particular tautomer isunderstood to include all tautomeric forms of the structure.

One embodiment of this invention relates to compounds of formula I-Awherein R¹ and R² are each hydrogen, as shown by formula I-A-a.

Another embodiment of this invention relates to compounds of formula I-Bwherein R¹, R², and R³ are each hydrogen, as shown by formula I-B-a.

Another embodiment of this invention relates to compounds of formula I-Cwherein R¹, R², and R³ are each hydrogen, as shown by formula I-C-a.

In one aspect, R⁴ and R⁵ groups are C₁₋₈ aliphatic groups that areindependently selected. More preferred R⁴ and R⁵ groups are C₁₋₄aliphatic groups that are independently selected. R⁴ and R⁵ may also betaken together with their intervening nitrogen to form a substituted orunsubstituted, aromatic or non-aromatic, 4-14 membered monocyclic,bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having, in addition to saidintervening nitrogen, 0-4 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,sulfur or oxygen. Examples of such R⁴/R⁵ rings include piperidinyl,piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl,purinyl, indazolyl, carbazolyl, and benzimidazolyl. When taken together,R⁴ and R⁵ preferably form a 5-6 membered ring, having in addition tosaid intervening nitrogen, 0-1 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,sulfur or oxygen. Examples of such preferred R⁴/R⁵ rings includepiperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, imidazolyl, andpyrrolyl. In another aspect, R⁴ is a C₁₋₄ aliphatic group and R⁵ isaryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl.

L₁ and L₂ are linker groups that separate the acylguanidine moiety fromthe basic nitrogen bearing the R⁴ and R⁵ groups. The distance betweenthe guanidinyl nitrogen bearing R² and the basic —N(R⁴)(R⁵) may beapproximately the length of a 2-6 linear carbon chain or between about300 to 900 picometers (pm). Preferably the distance is that of a 2-4carbon chain, more preferably a 3-4 carbon chain and most preferably a 3carbon chain. The optimal distance between —N(R²)— and —N(R⁴)(R⁵)— mayalso be obtained by replacing one or more methylene units of analkylidene linker with other groups such as —O—, —S—, —N(R¹⁰)CO—,—N(R¹⁰)CO₂—, —CON(R¹⁰)—, —CO—, —CO₂—, —OC(═O), —OC(═O)N(R¹⁰)—, —SO₂—,—N(R¹⁰)SO₂—, or —SO₂N(R¹¹)— where R¹⁰ is as described above.Alternatively, the alkylidene chain may constrained as part of a 3-7membered ring. One skilled in the art will be able to select a suitableL₁ or L₂ linker by reference to the known bond distances of various atompairs and/or ring systems in light of the examples presented below. TheL₃ linker group in compounds of formula I-C is similarly selected.

A preferred L₁ is a C₂₋₃ alkylidene chain such as —CH₂CH₂— or—CH₂CH₂CH₂—. A preferred L₂ is a C₃₋₄ alkylidene chain such as—CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, or —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂CH₂—.

Ring A is preferably a phenyl ring or a 5-membered heteroaryl ring. Apreferred heteroaryl ring is thienyl.

R⁷, when present, is preferably selected from -halo, —CN, —R¹², —OR¹, or—C(O)R¹, wherein R¹ and R¹² are preferably C₁₋₄ alkyl. A preferred R⁷halo group is fluoro.

Q is a linker group that separates Ring A and Ring B. A suitable Qlinker provides a distance between the rings of about 280 to 600 pm. Apreferred Q is a C₂ alkylidene chain such as —CH₂CH₂—. Alternatively, Qmay form part of a ring fused to Ring A as shown below.

Ring B is preferably a phenyl or naphthyl ring. Ring B may have 0-4 R⁸groups. When Ring B is a phenyl ring, it is preferably substituted by R⁸at the 2-position and/or 5-position of Ring B relative to the ringcarbon bearing Q. Most preferably, Ring B is substituted at the 2- and5-positions. Examples of preferred R⁸ groups include halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl,C₁₋₃ alkoxy, CO(C₁₋₃ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₃ alkyl), SO₂(C₁₋₃ alkyl), orSO₂NH(C₁₋₃ alkyl). When Ring B is a naphthyl ring, it is preferablyattached to Q at the α-position of the naphthyl ring. Adjacent R⁸ onRing B may be taken together to form a fused ring system. In one aspect,the fused Ring B system is a benzofuranyl ring. The fused ring B systemmay be substituted by R⁸ on either of the two fused rings.

Unless otherwise specified, when an R⁴, R⁷, R⁸ or R¹⁴ substituent has aheterocyclyl moiety, the ring size may be from 3 to 10 ring atoms,preferably from 3 to 6 and most preferably from 5 to 6. When thesubstituent has a heteroaryl moiety, a preferred ring size is five orsix. When the substituent is heterocylylalkyl or heteroaralkyl, thealkyl moiety is preferably from one to three carbons.

When G of formula I is G1, a preferred embodiment of this inventionrelates to a compound having one or more of the following features.

-   -   (a) X is oxygen.    -   (b) L₁ is a C₂₋₃ alkylidene chain.    -   (c) Q is —CH₂CH₂—.    -   (d) G1 is G1-a or G1-b:

-   -   (e) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₄        aliphatic group or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their        intervening nitrogen form a 5-6 membered ring.    -   (f) Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl.    -   (g) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl. In a more        preferred aspect of this embodiment the compound has all of the        above features (a)-(g).

When G of formula I is G1, a more preferred embodiment of this inventionrelates to a compound having one or more of the following features.

-   -   (a) X is oxygen.    -   (b) L₁ is —CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—.    -   (c) Q is —CH₂CH₂—.    -   (d) G1 is G1-a or G1-b:

-   -   (e) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₃        aliphatic group or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their        intervening nitrogen form a piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl,        piperazinyl or morpholinyl ring.    -   (f) Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl.    -   (g) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl. In a preferred        aspect of this embodiment the compound has all of the above        features (a)-(g).

When G of formula I is G2, a preferred embodiment of this inventionrelates to a compound having one or more of the following features.

-   -   (a) X is oxygen.    -   (b) L₂ is a C₃₋₄ alkylidene chain.    -   (c) Q is —CH₂CH₂—.    -   (d) (i) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₄        aliphatic group, or (ii) R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their        intervening nitrogen form a 5-6 membered ring, or (iii) R⁴ is a        C₁₋₄ aliphatic group and R⁵ is aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or        heteroaralkyl.    -   (e) Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl.    -   (f) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl. In a preferred        aspect of this embodiment the compound has all of the above        features (a)-(f).

When G of formula I is G2, a more preferred embodiment of this inventionrelates to a compound having the following features.

-   -   (a) X is oxygen.    -   (b) L₂ is —CH₂CH₂CH₂— or —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—.    -   (c) Q is —CH₂CH₂—.    -   (d) (i) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₄        aliphatic group, or (ii) R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their        intervening nitrogen form a 5-6 membered ring, or (iii) R⁴ is a        C₁₋₄ aliphatic group and R⁵ is aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, or        heteroaralkyl. In one aspect, R⁴ and R⁵ are taken together with        their intervening nitrogen form a piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl,        piperazinyl or morpholinyl ring.    -   (e) Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl.    -   (f) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl. In a preferred        aspect of this embodiment the compound has all of the above        features (a)-(f).

When G of formula I is G3, a preferred embodiment of this inventionrelates to a compound having one or more of the following features.

-   -   (a) X is oxygen.    -   (b) L₃ is a direct link, —CH₂—, —CH(R⁶)—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—,        or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—. In one aspect, L₃ is a direct link, —CH₂—,        —CH(R⁶)—, or —CH₂CH₂—. In another aspect, L₃ is —CH₂— or        —CH(R⁶⁾—.    -   (c) Q is —CH₂CH₂—.    -   (d) R⁶ is C₁₋₃ alkyl, CO₂H, CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), CH₂CO₂H, or        CH₂CO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl). In one aspect, R⁶ is CO₂H or CH₂CO₂H.    -   (e) R¹⁴ is a C₁₋₆ aliphatic group or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic        ring. In one aspect, R¹⁴ is a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring.    -   (f) —Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl.    -   (g) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl. In a preferred        aspect of this embodiment the compound has all of the above        features (a)-(g).

When G of formula I is G3, a more preferred embodiment of this inventionrelates to a compound having one or more of the following features.

-   -   (a) X is oxygen.    -   (b) L₃ is —CH₂—, —CH(R⁶)—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, or —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—.    -   (c) R⁶ is CO₂H or CH₂CO₂H.    -   (d) R¹⁴ is a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring having a ring        nitrogen and 0-1 additional ring heteroatoms selected from N, O        or S.    -   (e) Q is —CH₂CH₂—.    -   (f) Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl.    -   (g) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl.

In a preferred aspect of this embodiment the compound has all of theabove features (a)-(g). In another aspect, L₃ is a direct bond to R¹⁴ ora C₁₋₂ alkylidene and R¹⁴ is a 7-9 membered bicyclo ring system such asan aza-bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl or an aza-bicyclo[3.2.2]nonyl ring system.

The R¹⁴ group of the G3 moiety may be substituted or unsubstituted. WhenR¹⁴ is a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring, particular examples includepiperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, and piperazinyl. The point of attachment ofR¹⁴ to L₃ may be at a ring carbon or nitrogen of R¹⁴. Suitablesubstituents on the R¹⁴ ring include groups represented by T-R¹⁵ where Tis a bond or a C₁₋₄ alkylidene chain and R¹⁵ is —C₁₋₆ aliphatic, —CO₂R¹,—OR¹, -halo, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —N(R¹⁰)CO₂R¹, —N(R¹⁰)COR¹, —COR¹,5-6 membered heteroaryl, 5-6 membered heterocyclyl, -phenyl, or —CN.

One embodiment of this invention relates to compounds represented byformulae II-A, II-B, II-C or II-D:

wherein:

-   -   R¹ and R² are each hydrogen;    -   R³ is hydrogen or R³ and R¹⁴ taken together with their        intervening nitrogens form a 4-6 membered ring;    -   L₁ is —CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₂ is —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, or        —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₃ is a direct link, —CH₂—, or —CH₂CH₂—;    -   R⁷ is absent or is -halo, —NO₂, —CN, —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —C₆₋₁₀        aryl, -heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —(C₆₋₁₀ aryl)alkyl,        -(heterocyclyl)alkyl, -(heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,        —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,        —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂—S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂,        —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², or —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂, or two adjacent R⁷ taken        together with their intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered        unsaturated or partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms        selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;    -   R⁸ is -halo, —NO₂, —CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted group        selected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl,        -heteroaryl, —(C₆₋₁₀ aryl)alkyl, -(heterocyclyl)alkyl,        -(heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,        —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —C(O)R¹—C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹²,        —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², or        —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂, or two adjacent R⁸ taken together with their        intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated or partially        unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,        oxygen or sulfur;    -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl or R⁴        and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen form a 5-6        membered ring;    -   R¹⁴ is a C₁₋₆ aliphatic; or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring        having a ring nitrogen and 0-1 additional ring heteroatoms        selected from N, O or S; or R³ and R¹⁴ taken together with their        intervening nitrogens form a 4-6 membered ring;    -   each R¹³ is independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆        aliphatic, or a substituent selected from the group consisting        of COR¹, CO₂R¹, CN, —N(R₁₀)₂, CON(R¹⁰)₂, —OR¹, or two R¹³ on the        same carbon taken together form ═O, or two R¹³ taken together        with their intervening atoms form a 3-7 membered ring having 0-2        ring heteroatoms;    -   each R¹⁰ is independently selected from hydrogen, a substituted        or unsubstituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group, C(═O)R¹, CO₂R¹, SO₂R¹, or        two R¹⁰ on the same nitrogen taken together with the nitrogen        form a 5-8 membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring having, in        addition to the nitrogen, 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected from N,        O, or S;    -   each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen or an        optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group; and    -   each R¹² is independently selected from a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group.

For compounds of formula II the following are preferred:

-   -   R¹ and R² are each hydrogen;    -   R³ is hydrogen;    -   L₁ is —CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₂ is —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, or        —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₃ is a direct link, —CH₂—, or —CH₂CH₂—;    -   R⁷ is absent or is -halo, —CN, —R¹²—OR¹, —SR¹², —N(R¹¹)₂,        —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹²,        —CO₂R¹—C(O)R¹—C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹²,        —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹²;    -   R⁸ is -halo, —CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted group        selected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,        —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,        —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or        —NR¹SO₂R¹², or two adjacent R⁸ taken together with their        intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated or partially        unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,        oxygen or sulfur;    -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl or R⁴        and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen form a 5-6        membered ring;    -   R¹⁴ is a C₁₋₆ aliphatic or a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring        having a ring nitrogen and 0-1 additional ring heteroatoms        selected from N, O or S;    -   each R¹³ is hydrogen;    -   each R¹⁰ is hydrogen;    -   each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen or an        optionally substituted C₁₋₅ aliphatic group; and    -   each R¹² is independently selected from a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁₋₅ aliphatic group.

For compounds of formula II, more preferred are the following:

-   -   R⁷ is absent or is halo;    -   Ring B is a phenyl ring having two R⁸ substituents that are para        to one another or Ring B is an α-naphthyl ring; and    -   each R⁸ is independently selected from halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₃        alkoxy, CO(C₁₋₃ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₃ alkyl), SO₂(C₁₋₃ alkyl), or        SO₂NH(C₁₋₃ alkyl).

Another embodiment of this invention relates to compounds represented byformulae III-A, III-B, III-C or III-D:

wherein:

-   -   R¹, and R² are each hydrogen;    -   R³ is hydrogen;    -   L₁ is —CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₂ is —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, or        —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₃ is a direct link, —CH₂—, or —CH₂CH₂—;    -   R⁷ is absent or is -halo, —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, or two        adjacent R⁷ taken together with their intervening atoms form a        5-6 membered unsaturated or partially unsaturated ring having        0-2 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur;    -   R⁸ is -halo, —NO₂, —CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted group        selected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl,        -heteroaryl, —(C₅₋₁₀ aryl)alkyl, -(heterocyclyl)alkyl,        -(heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,        —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,        —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹²,        or —C(═NH)—N(R¹¹)₂, or two adjacent R⁸ taken together with their        intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated or partially        unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,        oxygen or sulfur;    -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl or R⁴        and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen form a 5-6        membered ring;    -   R¹⁴ is selected from a C₁₋₆ aliphatic or R³ and R¹⁴ taken        together with their intervening nitrogens form a 4-6 membered        ring;    -   each R¹³ is independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆        aliphatic, or a substituent selected from the group consisting        of COR¹, CO₂R¹, CN, —N(R₁₀)₂, CON(R¹⁰)₂, —OR¹, or two R¹³ on the        same carbon taken together form ═O, or two R¹³ taken together        with their intervening atoms form a 3-7 membered ring having 0-2        ring heteroatoms;    -   each R¹⁰ is independently selected from hydrogen, a substituted        or unsubstituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group, C(═O)R¹, CO₂R¹, SO₂R¹, or        two R¹⁰ on the same nitrogen taken together with the nitrogen        form a 5-8 membered aromatic or non-aromatic ring having, in        addition to the nitrogen, 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected from N,        O, or S;    -   each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen or an        optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group;    -   each R¹² is independently selected from a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic group; and    -   R¹⁴ is a C₁₋₆ aliphatic or 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring having        a ring nitrogen and 0-1 additional ring heteroatoms selected        from N, O or S.

For compounds of formula III the following are preferred:

-   -   R¹, R², and R³ are each hydrogen;    -   L₁ is —CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₂ is —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, or        —CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂CH₂—;    -   L₃ is a direct link, —CH₂—, or —CH₂CH₂—;    -   R⁷ is absent;    -   R⁸ is -halo, —CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted group        selected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,        —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,        —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or        —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², or two adjacent R⁸ taken together with their        intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated or partially        unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,        oxygen or sulfur;    -   R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from C₁₋₃ alkyl or R⁴        and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen form a 5-6        membered ring;    -   R¹⁴ is a 5-6 membered heterocyclic ring having a ring nitrogen        and 0-1 additional ring heteroatoms selected from N, O or S;    -   each R¹³ is hydrogen;    -   each R¹⁰ is hydrogen;    -   each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen or an        optionally substituted C₁₋₅ aliphatic group; and    -   each R¹² is independently selected from a substituted or        unsubstituted C₁₋₅ aliphatic group.

For compounds of formula III, more preferred are compounds wherein RingB is a phenyl ring having two R⁸ substituents that are para to oneanother or Ring B is an α-naphthyl ring; and each R⁸ is independentlyselected from halo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₃ alkoxy, CO(C₁₋₃ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₃alkyl), SO₂(C₁₋₃ alkyl), or SO₂NH(C₁₋₃ alkyl).

Another embodiment of this invention relates to a compound wherein R⁷ ata position ortho to Q and R⁹ are taken together with their interveningatoms to form a 5-7 membered unsaturated or partially unsaturated ringhaving 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected from N, O, or S. Such compounds arerepresented by formula IV:

wherein q is a direct link, —C(R¹¹)₂—, —N(R¹⁰)—, —N—, —O—, —C(═O)—, or—S—; Z¹ and Z² are each independently selected from —[C(R¹¹)₂]—_(p),—C(R¹¹)═C(R¹¹)—, —N(R¹⁰)—, —N—, —O—, —C(═O)—, and —S—, and R¹, G, R⁷,R¹, R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are as described above. The ring bearing Z¹ and Z² isdesignated Ring J. The selection of Z¹ and Z² will depend on the size ofRing J and whether Ring J is unsaturated or partially unsaturated. Byreference to the specification, such selection will be within theknowledge of one skilled in the art. Representative examples of Ring Jare shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Examples of Ring J Fused to Ring A

J-1

J-2

J-3

J-4

J-5

J-6

J-7

J-8

J-9 J-10

J-11

J-12

One embodiment of this invention relates to compounds wherein R¹ and R²are taken together with their intervening atoms to form a 5-7 memberedring (Ring D). Another embodiment of this invention relates to compoundswherein R² and R³ are taken together with their intervening atoms toform a 5-7 membered ring (Ring E). These embodiments are representedbelow by formulae V and VI wherein R¹-R⁵, L₂, X, Q, and Rings A and Bare as described above.

Examples of specific compounds of this invention are shown in Table 3below.

TABLE 3 Examples of Specific Compounds 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

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The compounds of this invention may be prepared by methods known tothose skilled in the art for analogous compounds, as illustrated by thegeneral schemes below, and by reference to the preparative examplesshown below.

Scheme I above shows general routes for preparing compounds of formulaeII-A and III-A. One may start with either an ester such as i or iv or anisothiocyanate such as iii or v. These routes are particularly usefulwhen R¹ is hydrogen.

Scheme II above shows general routes for preparing compounds of formulaeII-B and III-B. These routes are particularly useful when R¹ and R² areeach hydrogen.

Scheme III above shows general routes for preparing compounds offormulae II-C and III-C. Starting with a carboxylic acid such as vii orix, steps (a) and (b) may be used to prepare compounds where R³ ishydrogen. Alternatively, an amide such as xi or xii may be treated as instep (c) to obtain compounds where R³ is other than hydrogen.

SYNTHETIC EXAMPLES

Method of Toluic Acid Alkylation (General Method A)

A solution of 3-fluoro-2-methylbenzoic acid (5.00 g, 32 mmol, 1 equiv)and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) (9.7 mL, 64 mmol, 2equiv) in THF (100 mL) was cooled to −78° C. under an atmosphere ofargon. s-BuLi (1.3 M in hexanes, 52 mL, 26 mmol, 2.1 equiv) was addeddropwise and the solution was allowed to stir for 1 hr. A solution of2-bromo-5-methoxybenzylbromide (22 g, 80 mmol, 2.5 equiv) in THF (10 mL)was added dropwise. The solution was allowed stir for 1 hr at −78° C. hrand then quenched by the addition of H₂O and 1N HCl. The mixture wasextracted with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were washedwith brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered, and concentrated. After columnchromatography (SiO₂) followed by trituration from MeOH/DCM,2-[2-(2-bromo-5-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoic acid (3.3 g, 9.4mmol, 80%) was obtained as a white powder. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.33 (m, 4H), 6.78 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.76(s, 3H), 3.24 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 2.83 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H). LCMS: ES⁻ 351(M−1), 353 (M+1), 355 (M+3).

The following acids were also prepared by General Method A:

-   2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoic acid: LCMS    ES⁻ 355 (M−1), 357 (M+1), 359 (M+3).

-   3-Fluoro-2-(2-naphthalen-1-yl-ethyl)-benzoic acid: LCMS ES⁻ 293    (M−1).

To a solution of 2-methyl-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (8.01 g, 56.0mmol, 1.0 equiv) in THF (56 mL) at −78° C. was added a solution oflithium diisopropylamide (LDA; 2M, 56 mL, 112.0 mmol, 2 equiv). Theorange solution was allowed to stir for 1 hr and then a solution of4-bromo-2-bromomethyl-1-methoxybenzene (17 g, 73 mmol, 1.3 equiv) in THF(50 mL) was added dropwise via cannula. The solution was allowed to stirat −78° C. for one hour and then warmed to room temperature. Thereaction was quenched by the addition of water and ethyl acetate. Thephases were separated and the organic phase was washed with brine, driedover Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated to give a yellow oil. Additionof methanol caused precipitation of a white solid, which was filteredand dried to give2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid (5.3g, 15.5 mmol, 27%). ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO) δ 12.59 (s, 1H), 7.31 (dd,J=8.7, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dd, J=6.6, 5.4 Hz, 2H), 7.21 (d, J=2.4 Hz,1H), 6.88 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 3.27-3.35 (m, 2H), and2.79-2.88 (m, 2H). LCMS ES⁻ 339 (M−1), 341 (M+1).

To a solution of 3-fluorosalicylaldehyde (2.0 g, 14.3 mmol, 1 equiv) inacetone (40 mL) were added potassium carbonate (6.0 g, 43.3 mmol, 3equiv), and 2-bromo-5-methoxybenzylbromide (5.3 g, 19.0 mmol, 1.3equiv). The solution was heated to 65° C. for 6 hours and then allowedto cool to room temperature and stir over night. The reaction wasquenched by the addition of H₂O and 1N NaOH and extracted with CH₂Cl₂.The combined organic phases were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄,filtered and concentrated. The crude product was purified by columnchromatography (SiO₂, 4:1 hexanes:ethyl acetate) to give2-(5-bromo-2-methoxybenzyloxy-3-fluorobenzaldehyde (0.47 g, 10%) as awhite solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 10.28 (s, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=7.6 Hz,1H), 7.52 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 7.31-7.49 (m, 2H), 7.06-7.19 (m, 1H), 6.78(d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (s, 2H), and 3.77 (s, 3H).

A solution of 2-(5-bromo-2-methoxybenzyloxy-3-fluorobenzaldehyde (0.86g, 2.5 mmol, 1 equiv) in 1:2H₂O:dioxane (75 mL) was stirred at roomtemperature. To this solution was added concentrated sulfuric acid (1.29g, 13.2 mmol, 5 equiv), and then a solution of sodium chlorite (0.28 g,3.1 mmol, 1.3 equiv) in H₂O (25 mL). The solution was allowed to stir atroom temperature for one hour and then quenched by pouring into H₂O. Themixture was extracted with ethyl acetate and the combined organic phaseswere washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give2-(5-bromo-2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-3-fluoro-benzoic acid as a white solidin quantitative yield. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.92 (dt, J=7.9, 1.8Hz, 1H), 7.49 (d, J=2.6 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.47 (m, 1H), 7.30-7.40 (m, 1H),7.11-7.20 (m, 1H), 6.80 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 5.35 (s, 2H), and 3.84 (s,3H). LCMS: ES⁻ 353 (M−1), 355 (M+1).

Method for Isothiourea Formation (General Method B)

To a solution of 2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluorobenzoicacid (0.81 g, 2.3 mol, 1 equiv) in THF (13 mL) was added thionylchloride (0.84 mL, 11.5 mmol, 5 equiv). The solution was heated toreflux. After one hour, the solution was cooled to room temperature andconcentrated to give2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl chloride as anoil, which was used without further purification.

A solution of 2-methyl-2-thiopseudourea sulfate (1.6 g, 5.75 mmol, 2.5equiv) in 1N NaOH (10 mL) was cooled to 0° C. To this solution was addeddropwise a solution of2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl chloride (2.3mmol, 1 equiv) in diethyl ether (4 mL). The solution-was allowed to stirfor 3.5 hr and then diluted with H₂O. The aqueous solution was extractedwith dichloromethane and the combined organic phases were dried overNa₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated to give1-{2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluorobenzoyl}-2-methylisothioureain quantitative yield. The crude product was used without furtherpurification. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.72 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H),7.07-7.30 (m, 4H), 6.68 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.73 (s, 3H), 3.27-3.33 (m,2H), 2.84-2.90 (m, 2H), and 2.52 (s, 3H).

The following isothioureas were also prepared by General Method B:

1-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-2-methyl-isothiourea:¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.61 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 7.23-7.32 (m, 2H),6.96 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.783 (s, 3H), 3.50-3.57(m, 2H), 2.92-3.00 (m, 2H), and 2.51 (s, 3H). LCMS ES⁺ 413 (M+1), 415(M+3).

1-[3-Fluoro-2-(2-naphthalen-1-yl-ethyl)-benzoyl]-2-methyl-isothiourea:LCMS ES⁺ 367 (M+1).

-   1-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-3-fluoro-benzoyl]-2-methyl-isothiourea:    LCMS ES⁺ 427 (M+1), 429 (M+3).

-   1-{2-[2-(2-bromo-5-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluorobenzoyl}-2-methyl-isothiourea:    LCMS ES⁺ 429 (M+1), 431 (M+3), 433 (M+5).    Method for Monosubstituted Acylguanidine Formation (General Method    C)

To a solution of1-{2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluorobenzoyl}-2-methylisothiourea(0.16 g, 0.38 mmol, 1 equiv) in o-xylene (1.7 mL) were addedtriethylamine (0.052 mL, 0.38 mmol, 1 equiv) and1-(3-aminopropyl)-2-pipecoline (0.067 mL, 0.38 mmol, 1 equiv). Thesolution was allowed to stir at 145° C. for 4 hours and then cooled toroom temperature. Hexanes (2 mL) and dichloromethane (2 mL) were addedand the solution concentrated to a volume of about 0.5 mL. The residuewas purified by column chromatography (SiO₂) to give the desiredacylguanidine, which was characterized as its bisformate salt (0.089 g,0.053 mmol, 37%).

Compound 1:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-[3-(2-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.42 (s, 2H), 7.14-7.31 (m,5H), 6.59-6.62 (m, 1H), 3.59 (s, 3H), 3.44-3.55 (m, 4H), 3.18-3.36 (m,2H), 3.07-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.98-2.93 (m, 3H), 2.07-2.25 (m, 2H), 1.68-1.96(m, 5H), 1.46-1.63 (m, 1H), and 1.37 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 533(M+1), 535 (M+3); ES⁻ 531 (M−1), 533 (M+1).

The following compounds were also prepared by General Method C:

Compound 2:N-{2′-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-butyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.41 (s, 1H), 7.10-7.35 (m,5H), 6.64 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.38 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H),3.07-3.14 (m, 2H), 2.83-2.90 (m, 2H), 1.67-1.78 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.52 (m,2H), and 0.99 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 450 (M+1), 452 (M+3); ES⁻ 448(M−1), 450 (M+1).

Compound 3:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-isobutyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.42 (s, 1H), 7.16-7.37 (m,5H), 6.64 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.18-3.23 (m, 2H), 3.06-3.12(m, 2H), 2.82-2.89 (m, 2H), 1.97-2.10 (m, 1H), and 1.05 (t, J=6.6 Hz,6H). LCMS: ES⁺ 450 (M+1), 452 (M+3); ES⁻ 448 (M−1), 450 (M+1).

Compound 4:N-(2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl)-N′-cyclopentyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.16-7.35 (m,5H), 6.65 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.96-4.07 (m, 1H), 3.62 (s, 3H), 3.05-3.13(m, 2H), 2.81-2.86 (m, 2H), 2.06-2.21 (m, 2H), 1.77-1.87 (m, 2H), and1.63-1.77 (m, 4H). LCMS: ES⁺ 462 (M+1), 464 (M+3); ES⁻ 460 (M−1), 462(M+1)

Compound 5:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.46 (s, 1H), 7.15-7.36 (m,5H), 6.64 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.57-3.64 (m, 5H), 3.11 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H),3.04 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 2.82-2.96 (m, 6H), and 1.89-2.00 (m, 4H). LCMS:ES⁺ 491 (M+1), 493 (M+3); ES⁻ 489 (M−1), 491 (M+1).

Compound 6:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(2-cyclohexyl-ethyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.40 (s, 1H), 7.15-7.35 (m,5H), 6.64 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.38 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.12(t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.87 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.61-1.80 (m, 7H), 1.33-1.45(m, 1H), 1.10-1.30 (m, 3H), and 0.89-1.15 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 504 (M+1),506 (M+3); ES⁻ 502 (M−1), 504 (M+1).

Compound 7:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(1-phenyl-ethyl)-guanidine,bishydrochloride salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 11.97 (br s, 1H), 10.45(br s, 1H), 9.50 (br s, 1H), 7.61-7.70 (m, 1H), 7.29-7.50 (m, 5H),7.16-7.26 (m, 4H), 6.73 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.87 (br s, 1H), 3.51 (s,3H), 3.13-3.24 m, 2H), 2.85 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), and 1.70 (d, J=6.9 Hz,3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 498 (M+1), 500 (M+3); ES⁻ 496 (M−1), 498 (M+1)

Compound 8:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-thiophen-2-ylmethyl-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.15 (s, 2H), 7.35 (dd,J=5.1, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.14-7.19 (m, 6H), 7.03 (dd, J=5.1, 3.3 Hz, 1H),6.59 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.78 (s, 2H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 3.09-3.13 (m, 2H),and 2.84 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 490 (M+1), 492 (M+3); ES⁻ 488(M−1), 490 (M+1).

Compound 9:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.74 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H), 8.63(dd, J=4.8, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 8.19 (s, 2H), 7.91 (dt, J=7.5, 1.8 Hz, 1H),7.18-7.32 (m, 5H), 6.60 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 4.68 (s, 2H), 3.51 (s, 3H),3.14 (m, 2H), and 2.86 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 485 (M+1), 487(M+3); ES⁻ 483 (M−1), 485 (M+1).

Compound 10:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(1-phenyl-2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.51 (s, 2H), 7.02-7.56 (m,10H), 6.57 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.83 (br s, 1H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 2.92-3.26(m, 8H), 2.77-2.89 (m, 2H), and 1.90-2.05 (br m, 4H). LCMS: ES⁺ 567(M+1), 569 (M+3); ES⁻ 565 (M−1), 567 (M+1)

Compound 11:N′-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N-(3-chloro-benzyl)-N-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.42 (s, 1H), 7.49 (dd,J=7.8, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.27 (m, 6H), 7.08-7.16 (m, 2H), 6.99 (m, 1H),6.67 (m, 1H), 4.75 (s, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.60-3.68 (m, 2H), 3.21-3.29(m, 2H), 2.82-2.99 (m, 2H), and 1.87-1.97 (m, 4H). LCMS: ES⁺ 615 (M+1),617 (M+3); ES⁻ 613 (M−1), 615 (M+1)

Compound 12:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.36 (s, 2H), 7.18-7.36 (m,5H), 6.65 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.82 (dd, J ═4.8, 4.5 Hz, 4H), 3.61 (s,3H), 3.43-3.49 (m, 2H), 3.08-3.16 (m, 2H), 2.82-2.92 (m, 2H), 2.58-2.72(m, 6H), and 1.93-2.04 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 521 (M+1), 523 (M+3); ES⁻ 519(M−1), 521 (M+1).

Compound 13:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.43 (br s, 1H), 7.66 (br s,1H), 7.15-7.35 (m, 6H), 7.01-7.13 (br m, 1H), 6.63 (d, 7=9.0 Hz, 1H),4.12-4.22 (br m, 2H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.27-3.36 (m, 2H), 3.05-3.15 (m,2H), 2.86 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), and 2.18-2.32 (br m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 502(M+1), 504 (M+3); ES⁻ 500 (M−1), 502 (M+1).

Compound 14:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(4-diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.46 (s, 2H), 7.13-7.36 (m,5H), 6.64 (d, T=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.78-3.90 (br m, 1H), 3.66 (s, 3H),2.91-3.13 (m, 8H), 2.83-2.88 (m, 2H), 1.76-1.91 (m, 3H), 1.56-1.70 (m,6H), 1.33 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 3H), and 1.26 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 535(M+1), 537 (M+3); ES⁻ 533 (M−1), 535. (M+1)

Compound 15:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-[3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl]-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.35 (s, 2H), 7.17-7.40 (m,5H), 6.60-6.71 (m, 1H), 3.58 (s, 3H), 3.38-3.49 (m, 2H), 3.05-3.20 (m,2H), 2.83-2.98 (m, 8H), 2.72-2.81 (m, 2H), 2.58-2.60 (m, 2H), 2.45-2.57(m, 3H), and 1.89-2.06 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 534 (M+1), 536 (M+3); ES⁻ 532(M−1), 534 (M+1).

Compound 16:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(3-piperidin-1-yl-propyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.42 (s, 2H), 7.21-7.47 (m,5H), 6.60-6.71 (m, 1H), 3.60 (s, 3H), 3.44-3.56 (m, 2H), 3.04-3.25 (m,2H), 2.75-3.02 (m, 8H), 2.06-2.23 (m, 2H), 1.78-1.97 (m, 4H), and1.51-1.72 (m, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 519 (M+1), 521 (M+3); ES⁻ 517 (M−1), 519(M+1)

Compound 17:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-butyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.47 (s, 1H), 7.38 (d, J=5.7Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dd, J=8.4, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.12 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d,J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.44 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.33 (t, J=7.2 Hz,2H), 2.94 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 1.61-1.74 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.53 (m, 2H), and1.00 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 438 (M+1), 440 (M+3); ES⁻ 436 (M−1),438 (M+1)

Compound 18:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-isobutyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.49 (s, 1H), 7.39 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.09-7.13 (m, 1H), 6.80 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H),3.75 (s, 3H), 3.42-3.51 (m, 2H), 3.15 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 2.93 (t, J=7.2Hz, 2H), 1.90-2.04 (m, 1H), and 1.03 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 6H). LCMS: ES⁺ 438(M+1), 440 (M+3); ES⁻ 436 (M−1), 438 (M+1)

Compound 19:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-cyclopentyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.48 (s, 1H), 7.37 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dd, J=8.4, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.11 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.81 (d,J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.94-4.08 (m, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.44 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H),2.93 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.00-2.17 (m, 2H), and 1.61-1.86 (m, 6H). LCMS:ES⁺ 450 (M+1), 452 (M+3); ES⁻ 448 (M−1), 450 (M+1)

Compound 20:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.59 (br s, 1H), 8.51 (br s,1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 7.89 (br s, 1H), 7.48 (br s, 1H), 7.37 (d, J=5.7 Hz,1H), 7.25 (dd, J=8.4, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.10-7.14 (m, 1H), 6.79 (d, J=8.4 Hz,1H), 4.63 (br s, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.41-3.51 (m, 2H), 3.30-3.35 (m,2H), and 2.79-2.99 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 473 (M+1), 475 (M+3); ES⁻ 471(M−1), 473 (M+1).

Compound 21:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.39 (s, 2H), 7.39 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.28 (dd, J=8.7, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 7.12-7.21 (m, 1H), 6.84 (d, J=8.7Hz, 1H), 3.76 (s, 3H), 3.61-3.68 (m, 2H), 3.39-3.47 (m, 2H), 3.10-3.28(m, 6H), 2.94 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), and 1.80-1.97 (m, 4H). LCMS: ES⁺ 479(M+1), 481 (M+3); ES⁻ 477 (M−1), 479 (M+1).

Compound 22:N′-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-N-methyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.47 (s, 1H), 7.31 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.22 (dd, J=8.7, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (d,J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 6.79 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.77-3.87 (m, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H),3.36-3.43 (m, 2H), 3.01-3.07 (m, 2H), 3.01 (s, 3H), 2.84-2.95 (m, 6H),and 1.00 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 495 (M+1), 497 (M+3).

Compound 23:2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid[imino-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-methyl]-amide, bisformate salt: ¹H NMR(300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.35 (s, 2H), 7.41 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dd,J=8.7, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.16 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 6.83(d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.72-3.86 (m, 7H), 3.45-3.53 (m, 2H), 2.88-2.99 (m,2H), 2.74-2.82 (m, 4H), and 2.54 (s, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 465 (M+1), 467(M+3); ES⁻ 463. (M−1), 465 (M+1).

Compound 24:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(2-diethylamino-ethyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.63 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.23-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.11 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=8.4 Hz,1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.42-3.49 (m, 2H), 3.36-3.42 (m, 2H), 2.90-2.98 (m,2H), 2.72-2.80 (m, 2H), 2.67 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 4H), and 1.11 (t, J=7.2 Hz,6H). LCMS: ES⁺ 481 (M+1), 483 (M+3); ES⁻ 479 (M−1) 481 (M+1).

Compound 25:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.52 (s, 1H), 7.71 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.28 (m, 2H), 7.11 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (d, J=8.4 Hz,1H), 3.65-3.78 (m, 7H), 3.33-3.42 (m, 4H), 2.90-2.97 (m, 2H), 2.46-2.57(m, 6H), and 1.06-1.94 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 509 (M+1), 511 (M+3); ES⁻ 507(M−1), 509 (M+1).

Compound 26:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(1-ethyl-pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.62 (s, 1H), 7.76 (d, J=5.7Hz, 1H), 7.24-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.11 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=8.7 Hz,1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.35-3.57 (m, 4H), 3.12-3.24 (m, 1H), 2.92-3.00 (m,4H), 2.39-2.54 (m, 1H), 2.30-2.38 (m, 1H), 1.70-2.04 (m, 4H), and 1.17(t, J=6.9 Hz, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 493 (M+1), 495 (M+3); ES⁻ 491 (M−1), 493(M+1)

Compound 27:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(4-diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.60 (s, 2H), 7.56-7.72 (m,1H), 7.22-7.27 (m, 2H), 7.05-7.11 (m, 1H), 6.67 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.75(s, 3H), 3.28-3.43 (m, 2H), 2.70-2.98 (m, 9H), 1.65-1.87 (m, 3H),1.50-1.65 (m, 1H), 1.25-1.38 (m, 3H), and 1.18 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 6H). LCMS:ES⁺ 423 (M+1), 425 (M+3); ES⁻ 421 (M−1), 423 (M+1)

Compound 28:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(3-dibutylamino-propyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.65 (s, 1H), 7.71 (d, J=4.8Hz, 1H), 7.25-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.08 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=9.0 Hz,1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.34-3.45 (m, 4H), 2.92-3.00 (m, 2H), 2.48-2.64 (m,6H), 1.81-1.92 (m, 2H), 1.39-1.52 (m, 4H), 1.24-1.38 (m, 4H), and 0.94(t, J=7.2 Hz, 6H). LCMS: ES⁺ 551 (M+1), 553 (M+3); ES⁻ 549 (M−1), 551(M+1).

Compound 29:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.59 (s, 1H), 7.72 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dd, J=8.1, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.23 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (d,J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.48 (t, J=6.9 Hz,2H), 3.33-3.42 (m, 2H), 2.76-2.98 (m, 8H), and 1.87-2.06 (m, 6H). LCMS:ES⁺ 493 (M+1), 495 (M+3); ES⁻ 491 (M−1), 493 (M+1)

Compound 30:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-(3-piperidin-1-yl-propyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.49 (s, 2H), 7.66 (d, J=5.7Hz, 1H), 7.23 (dd, J=8.4, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.20 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (d,J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 6.66 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.44 (t, J=7.2 Hz,2H), 3.33-3.39 (m, 2H), 2.89-2.94 (m, 2H), 2.75-2.82 (m, 6H), 1.97-2.11(m, 2H), 1.73-1.85 (m, 4H), and 1.52-1.63 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 507 (M+1),509 (M+3); ES⁻ 505 (M−1), 507 (M+1).

Compound 31:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-thiophene-3-carbonyl}-N′-[3-(2-oxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-propyl]-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.62 (s, 1H), 7.71 (d, J=5.4Hz, 1H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.12 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (d, J=8.4 Hz,1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.47 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.36-3.43 (m, 6H), 2.95 (t,J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.45 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.09 (p, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), and1.91-1.99 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 507 (M+1), 509 (M+3); ES⁻ 505 (M−1), 507(M+1).

Compound 32:N′-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-3-fluoro-benzoyl]-N-(3-chloro-benzyl)-N-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethyl)-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.40 (s, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=2.1Hz, 1H), 7.46 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.37 (dd, J=8.7, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.21-7.29(m, 1H), 7.18 (s, 1H), 6.98-7.13 (m, 4H), 6.71 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 5.10(s, 2H), 4.67 (s, 2H), 3.74 (s, 3H), 3.57-3.71 (m, 2H), 2.81-3.14 (m,6H), and 1.78-2.02 (m, 4H). LCMS: ES⁺ 617 (M+1), 619 (M+3), 621 (M+5);ES⁻ 615 (M−1), 617 (M+1), 617 (M+3)

Compound 33:N-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-3-fluoro-benzoyl]-N′-[3-(2-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.48 (s, 2H), 7.63 (s, 1H),7.20-7.39 (m, 3H), 7.05-7.18 (m, 1H), 6.70 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (s,2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.27-3.55 (m, 2H), 2.85-3.15 (m, 3H), 2.47-2.66 (m,2H), 1.89-2.08 (m, 2H), 1.58-1.87 (m, 4H), 1.39-1.57 (m, 2H), and1.09-1.29 (m, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 535 (M+1), 537 (M+3)

Compound 34:N-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-3-fluoro-benzoyl]-N′-(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.41 (s, 2H), 7.56-7.64 (m,1H), 7.22-7.39 (m, 3H), 7.05-7.17 (m, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 5.26(s, 2H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 3.54 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 3.08-3.25 (m, 4H), 3.03(t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), and 1.92-2.20 (m, 6H). LCMS: ES⁺ 507 (M+1), 509 (M+3)

Compound 35:N-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-benzyloxy)-3-fluoro-benzoyl]-N′-(4-diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.45 (s, 2H), 7.59-7.64 (m,1H), 7.20-7.39 (m, 3H), 7.05-7.17 (m, 1H), 6.71 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 5.25(s, 2H), 3.76-3.89 (m, 1H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.01 (q, J=7.2 Hz, 4H),2.84-2.96 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.94 (m, 3H), 1.50-1.68 (m, 1H), and 1.14-1.38(m, 9H). LCMS: ES⁺ 537 (M+1), 539 (M+3).

Compound 36:N-[3-Fluoro-2-(2-naphthalen-1-yl-ethyl)-benzoyl]-N′-(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.45 (s, 2H), 8.20 (d, J=8.4Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.41-7.59 (m,2H), 7.10-7.42 (m, 5H), 3.42-3.61 (m, 2H), 3.32-3.42 (m, 2H), 3.18-3.32(m, 2H), 2.95-3.14 (m, 4H), 2.85-2.95 (m, 2H), and 1.84-2.19 (m, 2H).LCMS: ES⁺ 447 (M+1).

Compound 37:N-[3-Fluoro-2-(2-naphthalen-1-yl-ethyl)-benzoyl]-N′-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.33 (s, 2H), 8.18 (d, J=8.1Hz, 1H), 7.83 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45-7.57 (m,2H), 7.21-7.40 (m, 4H), 7.17 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 1H), 3.67-3.93 (m, 4H),3.19-3.44 (m, 6H), 2.40-2.73 (m, 6H), and 1.79-1.99 (m, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺463 (M+1).

Compound 38:N-(4-Diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-N′-[3-fluoro-2-(2-naphthalen-1-yl-ethyl)-benzoyl]-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.28 (s, 2H), 8.20 (d, J=7.8Hz, 1H), 7.84 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.61 (m,7H), 3.88-4.11 (m, 1H), 3.31-3.46 (m, 2H), 3.18-3.32 (m, 2H), 2.89-3.20(m, 6H), 1.75-2.05 (m, 3H), 1.51-1.75 (m, 1H), and 0.99-1.48 (m, 9H).LCMS: ES⁺ 477 (M+1).

Compound 39:N-{2-[2-(2-Bromo-5-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-[3-(2-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.46 (s, 2H), 7.43 (d, J=8.4Hz, 1H), 7.27-7.39 (m; 2H), 7.25-7.15 (m, 2H), 7.03 (dd, J=8.4, 2.4 Hz,1H), 3.36-3.67 (m, 3H), 3.36-3.67 (m, 2H), 2.98-3.16 (m, 4H), 2.70-2.84(m, 2H), 1.98-2.24 (m, 2H), 1.65-1.98 (m, 5H), 1.42-1.64 (m, 1H), and1.36 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 537 (M+1), 539 (M+3), 541 (M+5).

Compound 40:N-{2-[2-(2-Bromo-5-chloro-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(4-diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-guanidine,bisformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.43 (s, 2H), 7.28-7.46 (m,3H), 7.15-7.25 (m, 2H), 7.03 (dd, J=8.4, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.75-4.01 (m, 1H),2.85-3.16 (m, 10H), 1.76-1.96 (m, 3H), 1.47-1.75 (m, 1H), and 1.15-1.39(m, 9H). LCMS: ES⁺ 539 (M+1), 541 (M+3), 543 (M+5).

N, N′-Disubstituted Acylguanidines

To a solution of 2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluorobenzoicacid (1.78 g, 5.1 mol, 1 equiv) in DMF (6 mL) at room temperature wereadded diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) (1.95 mL, 11.2 mmol, 2.2 equiv) andfluoro-N,N,N′-tetramethylformamidinium hexafluorophosphate (TFFH) (1.48g, 5.6 mmol, 1.1 equiv). The homogeneous solution was allowed to stirfor 1.5 hr, during which time the color changed to green. Ammonia gaswas bubbled into the solution and the color changed to yellow and aprecipitate was formed. The heterogeneous slurry was allowed to stir for5 hr and then diluted with H₂O and ethyl acetate. The phases wereseparated and the organic portion was washed with brine, dried overMgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to give2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluorobenzamide in quantitativeyield. The crude product was used without further purification. LCMS ES⁺352 (M+1), 354 (M+3).

Method for N,N′-Disubstituted Acylguanidine Formation (General Method D)

To a solution of 2-[2-(5-bromo-2-methoxyphenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluorobenzamide(0.117 g, 0.33 mmol, 1 equiv) in DMF (0.66 mL) at room temperature wasadded sodium hydride (60 wt %, 0.016 g, 0.43 mmol, 1.3 equiv). Thesolution was allowed to stir for 5 min, during which time gas evolved.Methyl isothiocyanate (0.019 mL, 0.27 mmol, 0.83 equiv) was added andthe solution was heated at 60° C. for 30 min. After cooling to roomtemperature, 1-(3-aminopropyl)-pyrrolidine (0.042 mL. 0.33 mmol, 1equiv) and mercury (II) chloride (0.089 g, 0.33 mmol, 1 equiv) wereadded sequentially. The black mixture was allowed to stir at roomtemperature for 10 min and then filtered through celite. The filtratewas concentrated to give a white solid. The crude product was purified(SiO₂, O-5% methanol in dichloromethane) to give the desiredacylguanidine as a white solid (0.044 g, 0.09 mmol, 26%).

Compound 41:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-methyl-N″-(3-pyrrolidin-1-yl-propyl)-guanidine:¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO, 120° C.) δ 7.53 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.30 (dd,J=6.9, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 7.19 (d, J=1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.15 (t, J=4.5Hz, 1H), 6.90 (d, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.48 (t, J=3.3 Hz, 2H),3.24 (br s, 4H), 3.18 (dd, J=6.3, 3.9 Hz, 4H), 2.95 (s, 3H), 2.85 (t,J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 2.02 (ddd, J=3.0, 3.0, 3.0 Hz, 2H), and 1.94-1.96 (m,4H). LCMS: ES⁺ 519 (M+1), 521 (M+3); ES⁻ 517 (M−1), 519 (M+1)

Compound 42:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-N″-methyl-guanidine,bishydrochloride salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 9.03 (s, 1H), 7.72 (s,1H), 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.38-7.53 (br s, 2H), 7.26-7.35 (m, 2H), 7.18 (d,J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.42 (br s, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H),3.52 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H), 3.04-3.11 (m, 5H), 2.88(t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), and 2.33 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺ 547 (M+1), 549(M+3); ES⁻ 545 (M−1), 547 (M+1)

Compound 43:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-methyl-N″-[3-(2-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-guanidine,bishydrochloride salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.51 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H),7.37-7.44 (m, 1H), 7.31 (d, J=8.7 2H), 7.18 (br s, 1H), 6.85 (d, J=8.7Hz, 1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.55 (t, J=4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (br s, 2H), 2.97 (s,3H), 2.85 (s, 3H), 2.80 (s, 1H), and 2.68 (br s, 14H). LCMS: ES⁺ 549(M+1), 551 (M+3); ES⁻ 547 (M−1), 549 (M+1).

Compound 44:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(4-diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-N″-methyl-guanidineguanidine: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.37-7.54 (m, 2H), 7.32 (d, J=8.1Hz, 2H), 7.20 (s, 1H), 6.88 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.81 9 (s, 3H), 3.21 (brs, 6H), 3.10 (br s, 5H), 2.89 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (br s, 3H), and1.26-1.42 (m, 11H). LCMS: ES⁺ 549 (M+1), 551 (M+3); ES⁻ 547 (M−1), 549(M+1).

Compound 45:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-methyl-N″-[2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)-ethyl]-guanidine,bishydrochloride salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.51 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1H),7.42 (s, 1H), 7.32 (s, 1H), 7.20 (dd, J=9.0, 2.4 Hz, 2H), 6.86 (d, J=8.7Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.58 (s, 2H), 3.10 (br s, 5H), 2.89 (m, 6H), 2.71(s, 1H), 2.37 (s, 2H), 2.10 (s, 3H), and 1.84 (s, 1H). LCMS: ES⁺ 519(M+1), 521 (M+3).

Compound 46:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-isopropyl-N″-[3-(2-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-guanidineN-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-N″-isopropyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.44 (s, 1H), 7.38 (d, J=7.8Hz, 1H), 7.18-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.15 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (t, J=8.7 Hz,1H), 6.84 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.48 (m, 2H), 3.35 (d, J=9.0Hz, 1H), 3.16 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 3H), 3.04 (br s, 2H), 2.82 (t, J=8.1 Hz,3H), 1.97 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H), 1.74 (m, 4H), 1.43 (s, 2H), 1.29 (s, 6H),1.21 (s, 3H), and 1.12 (m, 1H). LCMS: ES⁺ 575 (M+1), 577 (M+3).

Compound 47:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(4-diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-N″-isopropyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.51 (s, 1H), 7.36 (d, J=7.5Hz, 1H), 7.13-7.28 (m, 3H), 7.02 (t, J=9.0 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (d, J=8.7 Hz,1H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.10 (m, 8H), 2.80 (t, J=7.2 Hz), 1.64 (m, 4H), and1.21 (m, 17H). LCMS: ES⁺ 577 (M+1), 579 (M+3).

Compound 48:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-N″-isopropyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.18 (s, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H),6.98-7.32 (m, 7H), 6.77 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.11 (br s, 2H), 3.73 (s,3H), 3.35 (br s, 2H), 3.13 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 3H), 2.76 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 2H),2.07 (br s, 2H), and 1.23 (br s, 6H). LCMS: ES⁺ 544 (M+1), 546 (M+3).

Compound 49:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-[2-(1-methyl-pyrrolidin-2-yl)-ethyl]-N″-phenyl-guanidine,monoformate salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 8.44 (s, 1H), 7.46 (m, 3H),7.33-7.36 (m, 3H), 7.22-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.06-7.17 (m, 2H), 6.82 (d, J=8.7Hz, 1H), 3.77 (s, 3H), 3.50 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 3.20 (s, 4H), 2.85-3.05(m, 1H), 2.85 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 2.73 (br s, 3H), 2.29 (br s, 1H), 2.14(br s, 1H), and 1.68-2.03 (m, 4H). LCMS: ES⁺ 581 (M+1), 583 (M+3).

Compound 50:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(4-diethylamino-1-methyl-butyl)-N″-phenyl-guanidine,bishydrochloride salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.12-7.52 (m, 10H),6.87 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.12 (s, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.26 (m, 4H), 2.94(m, 3H), 2.83 (m, 3H), 1.87 (s, 2H), 1.50 (m, 2H), and 1.33 (m, 9H).LCMS: ES⁺ 611 (M+1), 613 (M+3)

Compound 51:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-[3-(2-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-propyl]-N″-phenyl-guanidine,bishydrochloride salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 7.15-7.54 (m, 10H),6.86 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.48-3.76 (m, 4H), 3.00 (s, 3H),2.87 (m, 4H), 2.25 (br s, 2H), 2.00 (br s, 2H), 1.83 (br s 2H), 1.63 (brs, 2H), and 1.27-1.49 (m, 3H). LCMS: ES⁺ 609 (M+1), 611 (M+3).

Compound 52:N-{2-[2-(5-Bromo-2-methoxy-phenyl)-ethyl]-3-fluoro-benzoyl}-N′-(3-imidazol-1-yl-propyl)-N″-phenyl-guanidine,bishydrochloride salt: ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD) δ 9.08 (s, 1H), 7.16-7.80(m, 12H), 6.86 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.53 (br s, 2H), 3.78 (s, 3H), 3.67(br s, 2H), 3.00 (m, 2H), 2.87 (m, 2H), and 2.4 (br s, 2H). LCMS: ES⁺578 (M+1), 580 (M+3).

One embodiment of this invention relates to a composition comprising acompound of formula X or a tautomer or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It will beappreciated that the compounds of formula I in this invention may bederivatized at functional groups to provide prodrug derivatives whichare capable of conversion back to the parent compounds in vivo. Examplesof such prodrugs include the physiologically acceptable andmetabolically labile ester derivatives, such as methoxymethyl esters,methylthiomethyl esters, or pivaloyloxymethyl esters derived from ahydroxyl group of the compound or a carbamoyl moiety derived from anamino group of the compound. Additionally, any physiologicallyacceptable equivalents of the compounds of formula I, similar tometabolically labile esters or carbamates, which are capable ofproducing the parent compounds of formula I in vivo, are within thescope of this invention.

If pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this inventionare utilized in these compositions, those salts are preferably derivedfrom inorganic or organic acids and bases. Included among such acidsalts are the following: acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate,benzoate, benzene sulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate,camphor sulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate,ethanesulfonate, fumarate, lucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate,hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide,hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate,methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, pamoate,pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenyl-propionate, picrate, pivalate,propionate, succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate and undecanoate.Base salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts, such as sodiumand potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts, such as calcium andmagnesium salts, salts with organic bases, such as dicyclohexylaminesalts, N-methyl-D-glucamine, and salts with amino acids such asarginine, lysine, and so forth.

Also, the basic nitrogen-containing groups may be quaternized with suchagents as lower alkyl halides, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butylchloride, bromides and iodides; dialkyl sulfates, such as dimethyl,diethyl, dibutyl and diamyl sulfates, long chain halides such as decyl,lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides, aralkylhalides, such as benzyl and phenethyl bromides and others. Water oroil-soluble or dispersible products are thereby obtained.

The compounds utilized in the compositions and methods of this inventionmay also be modified by appending appropriate functionalities to enhanceselective biological properties. Such modifications are known in the artand include those which increase biological penetration into a givenbiological system (e.g., blood, lymphatic system, central nervoussystem), increase oral availability, increase solubility to allowadministration by injection, alter metabolism and alter rate ofexcretion.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention can be manufactured bymethods well known in the art such as conventional granulating, mixing,dissolving, encapsulating, lyophilizing, or emulsifying processes, amongothers. Compositions may be produced in various forms, includinggranules, precipitates, or particulates, powders, including freezedried, rotary dried or spray dried powders, amorphous powders, tablets,capsules, syrup, suppositories, injections, emulsions, elixirs,suspensions or solutions. Formulations may optionally containstabilizers, pH modifiers, surfactants, bioavailability modifiers andcombinations of these.

Pharmaceutical formulations may be prepared as liquid suspensions orsolutions using a sterile liquid, such as, but not limited to, an oil,water, an alcohol, and combinations of these. Pharmaceutically suitablesurfactants, suspending agents, or emulsifying agents, may be added fororal or parenteral administration. Suspensions may include oils, such asbut not limited to, peanut oil, sesame oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil andolive oil. Suspension preparation may also contain esters of fatty acidssuch as ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, fatty acid glycerides andacetylated fatty acid glycerides. Suspension formulations may includealcohols, such as, but not limited to, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol,hexadecyl alcohol, glycerol and propylene glycol. Ethers, such as butnot limited to, poly(ethyleneglycol), petroleum hydrocarbons such asmineral oil and petrolatum; and water may also be used in suspensionformulations.

Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers that may be used in thesecompositions include, but are not limited to, ion exchangers, alumina,aluminum stearate, lecithin, serum proteins, such as human serumalbumin, buffer substances such as phosphates, glycine, sorbic acid,potassium sorbate, partial glyceride mixtures of saturated vegetablefatty acids, water, salts or electrolytes, such as protamine sulfate,disodium hydrogen phosphate, potassium hydrogen phosphate, sodiumchloride, zinc salts, colloidal silica, magnesium trisilicate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose-based substances, polyethylene glycol, sodiumcarboxymethylcellulose, polyacrylates, waxes,polyethylene-polyoxypropylene-block polymers, polyethylene glycol andwool fat.

According to a preferred embodiment, the compositions of this inventionare formulated for pharmaceutical administration to a mammal, preferablya human being. Such pharmaceutical compositions of the present inventionmay be administered orally, parenterally, by inhalation spray,topically, rectally, nasally, buccally, vaginally or via an implantedreservoir. The term “parenteral” as used herein includes subcutaneous,intravenous, intramuscular, intra-articular, intra-synovial,intrasternal, intrathecal, intrahepatic, intralesional and intracranialinjection or infusion techniques. Preferably, the compositions areadministered orally or intravenously. The formulations of the inventionmay be designed for to be short-acting, fast-releasing, or long-acting.Still further, compounds can be administered in a local rather thansystemic means, such as administration (e.g., injection) as a sustainedrelease formulation.

Sterile injectable forms of the compositions of this invention may beaqueous or oleaginous suspension. These suspensions may be formulatedaccording to techniques known in the art using suitable dispersing orwetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparationmay also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxicparenterally acceptable diluent or solvent, for example as a solution in1,3-butanediol. Among the acceptable vehicles and solvents that may beemployed are water, Ringer's solution and isotonic sodium chloridesolution. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employedas a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose, any bland fixed oilmay be employed including synthetic mono- or di-glycerides. Fatty acids,such as oleic acid and its glyceride derivatives are useful in thepreparation of injectables, as are natural pharmaceutically-acceptableoils, such as olive oil or castor oil, especially in theirpolyoxyethylated versions. These oil solutions or suspensions may alsocontain a long-chain alcohol diluent or dispersant, such ascarboxymethyl cellulose or similar dispersing agents which are commonlyused in the formulation of pharmaceutically acceptable dosage formsincluding emulsions and suspensions. Other commonly used surfactants,such as Tweens, Spans and other emulsifying agents or bioavailabilityenhancers which are commonly used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticallyacceptable solid, liquid, or other dosage forms may also be used for thepurposes of formulation. Compounds may be formulated for parenteraladministration by injection such. as by bolus injection or continuousinfusion. A unit dosage form for injection may be in ampoules or inmulti-dose containers.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be orallyadministered in any orally acceptable dosage form including, but notlimited to, capsules, tablets, aqueous suspensions or solutions. In thecase of tablets for oral use, carriers that are commonly used includelactose and corn starch. Lubricating agents, such as magnesium stearate,are also typically added. For oral administration in a capsule form,useful diluents include lactose and dried cornstarch. When aqueoussuspensions are required for oral use, the active ingredient is combinedwith emulsifying and suspending agents. If desired, certain sweetening,flavoring or coloring agents may also be added.

Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may beadministered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration.These may be prepared by mixing the agent with a suitable non-irritatingexcipient which is solid at room temperature but liquid at rectaltemperature and therefore will melt in the rectum to release the drug.Such materials include cocoa butter, beeswax and polyethylene glycols.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also beadministered topically, especially when the target of treatment includesareas or organs readily accessible by topical application, includingdiseases of the eye, the skin, or the lower intestinal tract. Suitabletopical formulations are readily prepared for each of these areas ororgans.

Topical application for the lower intestinal tract may be effected in arectal suppository formulation (see above) or in a suitable enemaformulation. Topically-transdermal patches may also be used. For topicalapplications, the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in asuitable ointment containing the active component suspended or dissolvedin one or more carriers. Carriers for topical administration of thecompounds of this invention include, but are not limited to, mineraloil, liquid petrolatum, white petrolatum, propylene glycol,polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene compound, emulsifying wax and water.Alternatively, the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated in asuitable lotion or cream containing the active components suspended ordissolved in one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Suitablecarriers include, but are not limited to, mineral oil, sorbitanmonostearate, polysorbate 60, cetyl esters wax, cetearyl alcohol,2-octyldodecanol, benzyl alcohol and water.

For ophthalmic use, the pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated asmicronized suspensions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline, or,preferably, as solutions in isotonic, pH adjusted sterile saline, eitherwith our without a preservative such as benzylalkonium chloride.Alternatively, for ophthalmic uses, the pharmaceutical compositions maybe formulated in an ointment such as petrolatum.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also beadministered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions areprepared according to techniques well known in the art of pharmaceuticalformulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzylalcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhancebioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other conventional solubilizingor dispersing agents.

Any of the above dosage forms containing effective amounts are wellwithin the bounds of routine experimentation and therefore, well withinthe scope of the instant invention. A therapeutically effective dose mayvary depending upon the route of administration and dosage form. Thepreferred compound or compounds of the instant invention is aformulation that exhibits a high therapeutic index. The therapeuticindex is the dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects which canbe expressed as the ratio between LD50 and ED50. The LD50 is the doselethal to 50% of the population and the ED50 is the dose therapeuticallyeffective in 50% of the population. The LD50 and ED50 are determined bystandard pharmaceutical procedures in animal cell cultures orexperimental animals.

Besides those representative dosage forms described above,pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and carriers and dosage forms aregenerally known to those skilled in the art and are included in theinstant invention.

The present invention provides methods of inhibiting or decreasing MC4-Ractivity as well as treating or ameliorating an MC4-R associateddisorder in a human or non-human animal. “Treating” within the contextof the instant invention, therefore, means an alleviation of symptomsassociated with a disorder or disease, or halt of further progression orworsening of those symptoms, or prevention or prophylaxis of the diseaseor disorder. For example, within the context of wasting, successfultreatment may include an alleviation of symptoms or halting theprogression of the disease, as measured by increase in body weight, anincrease in the amount of food or energy intake, or an increase in theamount of lean body mass.

The present methods comprise administering an effective amount of acompound or composition described herein to a mammal or non-humananimal. As used herein, “effective amount” of a compound or compositionof the present invention includes those amounts that antagonize orinhibit MC4-R. An amount which antagonizes or inhibits MC4-R isdetectable, for example, by any assay capable of determining MC4-Ractivity, including those described below in the illustrative TestingMethods, or any other assay known by those skilled in the art that adetect signal transduction, in a biochemical pathway, through activationof G-protein coupled receptors, for example, by measuring an elevatedcAMP level as compared to a control model.

The term “modulator” as used herein refers to a compound that interactswith the melanocortin receptor as either an agonist, inverse agonist,indirect agonist, or antagonist of the receptor. The terms “inverseagonize,” “antagonize,” or “inhibit” include the ability of a compoundto diminish a detectable signal. Effective amounts may also includethose amounts which alleviate symptoms of a MC4-R associated disordertreatable by inhibiting MC4-R (e.g., weight loss). Accordingly,“antagonist” includes compounds which interact with the MC4-R andmodulate, e.g., inhibit or decrease, the ability of a second compound,e.g., α-melanocyte stimulating hormone or another MC4-R ligand, tointeract with the MC4-R. The MC4-R binding compounds are preferablyantagonists of MC4-R. The language “MC4-R binding compound” includesthose compounds which interact with MC4-R resulting in modulation of theactivity of MC4-R. MC4-R binding compounds may be identified usingeither in vitro (e.g., cell and non-cell based) or in vivo methods.Detailed descriptions of these methods are described below.

The amount of compound present in the methods and compositions describedherein should be sufficient to cause a detectable decrease in theseverity of the disorder or in MC4-R activity, as measured by any of theassays described in the examples. The amount of MC4-R modulator neededwill depend on the effectiveness of the modulator for the given celltype and the length of time required to treat the disorder. In certainembodiments, the compositions of this invention may further compriseanother therapeutic agent. When a second agent is used, the second agentmay be administered either as a separate dosage form or as part of asingle dosage form with the compounds or compositions of this invention.

It should also be understood that a specific dosage and treatmentregimen for any particular patient will depend upon a variety offactors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, theage, body weight, general health, sex, diet, time of administration,rate of excretion, drug combination, and the judgment of the treatingphysician and the severity of the particular disease being treated. Theamount of active ingredients will also depend upon the particularcompound and other therapeutic agent, if present, in the composition.

The term “mammal” includes organisms which express the MC4-R. Examplesof mammals include mice, rats, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, bears,monkeys, dogs, cats and, preferably, humans. Transgenic organisms whichexpress the MC4-R are also included in this definition.

An MC4-R associated disorder, or MC4-R-mediated disease, which may betreated by the methods provided, includes those states, disorders, ordiseases characterized by aberrant or undesirable activity or expressionof MC4-Rs. It also includes those states, disorders and diseasesassociated with MC4-R ligands (e.g., α-melanocyte stimulating hormone).The language also includes prevention of states, disorders and diseasescharacterized by aberrant or undesirable activity of MC4-Rs or itsligands. MC4-R associated disorders include weight loss and wastingdisorders, bone loss disorders, neuronal injuries or disorders,cardiovascular disorders and thermoregulation.

Examples of MC4-R associated disorders include feeding and wastingdisorders, such as cachexia (e.g., chronic disease associated cachexiaincluding cancer cachexia, AIDS cachexia, CHF cachexia, etc.), anorexia,catabolic wasting, and aging associated involuntary weight loss. Recentstudies have demonstrated that the central melanocortin signalingsystem, in particular MC4-R contributes to animal models of cachexia.Wisse B E, et al. Endocrinology 142:3292-3301 (2001); Marks D L, et al.Cancer Res 61:1432-1438 (2001); Vergoni A V, et al. Eu J Pharm 369:11-15(1999). Cachexia is a common pathological syndrome associated withcancer and other chronic illnesses (e.g., AIDS, chronic heart failure,chronic infection, etc), which encompasses both the loss of appetite andthe inability to conserve energy. A hallmark of the disorder is loss offat and lean body mass, contributing to morbidity, mortality, andreduced quality of life in afflicted patients. Ronald M. L. and J. B.Tatro, Diabetes, 8: 267-271, (1999); Tisdale M J Nutrition 17: 438-442(2001). Physiologically, this may be a result from any one of a numberof complex factors, such as loss of appetite and possibly abnormalcatabolism. Accordingly the instant invention provides compounds,compositions, and methods effective for increasing feeding behavior andbody weight, which are particularly useful in treating those disordersor diseases associated with weight loss and wasting (e.g., cachexia(e.g., chronic disease associated cachexia including cancer cachexia,AIDS cachexia, CHF cachexia, etc.), anorexia, and aging associatedinvoluntary weight loss).

In another embodiment, the MC4-R associated disorder is a boneassociated disorder. MC4-R knockout mice have been shown to haveenhanced bone thickness (Ducy et al. Science, (September, 2000)289:1501-1504). Examples of bone associated disorders which may betreated with MC4-R binding compounds of the invention include disordersand states where the formation, repair or remodeling of bone isadvantageous. For examples bone associated states include osteoporosis(e.g., a decrease in bone strength and density), bone fractures, boneformation associated with surgical procedures (e.g., facialreconstruction), osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease),hypophosphatasia, Paget's disease, fibrous dysplasia, osteopetrosis,myeloma bone disease, and the depletion of calcium in bone, such as thatwhich is related to primary hyperparathyroidism. Bone associateddisorders include all states in which the formation, repair orremodeling of bone is advantageous to the subject as well as all otherdisorders associated with the bones or skeletal system of a subjectwhich can be treated with the compounds of the invention.

Melanocortins increase neuropathic pain in animal models and antagonizeopiate analgesia, and antagonists counteract neuropathic pain. Vrinten DH, et al. J Neurosci 20:8131-8137 (2000); Adan R A H in The melanocortinreceptors. Cone R D, ed. Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press; 109-141 (2000).Additionally, patients with cancer might have the additional benefit ofimproved pain control when treated with melanocortin receptorantagonists undergoing a cancer cachexia treatment regimen. Thus, themethods and compositions described herein may be useful in the treatmentof MC4-R associated pain or neuronal disorders, including neuropathicpain.

Assays

The Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA) is a non-cell based in vitroassay. It can be used to identify compounds that interact with MC4-R.Such compounds may act as antagonists or agonists of MC4-R activity andmay be used in the treatment of body weight disorders. One example of aqualitative measure of binding affinity of a MC4-R binding compound toMC4-R is its IC₅₀. Preferably, the MC4-R binding compound binds to theMC4-R with a binding affinity, for example, of about 50 μM or less, 20μM or less, 10 μM or less, 5 μM or less, 2.5 μM or less, or 1 μM orless. In an advantageous embodiment, the IC₅₀ of a MC4-R bindingcompounds is about 0.5 μM or less, about 0.3 μM or less, about 0.1 μM orless, about 0.08 μM or less, about 0.06 μM or less, about 0.05 μM orless, about 0.04 μM or less, or, preferably, about 0.03 μM or less.

In the SPA, isolated membranes are used to identify compounds thatinteract with MC4-R. For example, in a typical experiment using isolatedmembranes, 293 cells may be genetically engineered to express the MC4-R.Membranes are be harvested by standard techniques and used in an invitro binding assay. ¹²⁵I-labeled ligand (e.g., ¹²⁵I-labeled α-MSH,β-MSH, or ACTH) is bound to the membranes and assayed for specificactivity; specific binding is determined by comparison with bindingassays performed in the presence of excess unlabelled ligand.

To identify MC4-R binding compounds, membranes are incubated withlabeled ligand in the presence or absence of test compound. Compoundsthat bind to the receptor and compete with labeled ligand for binding tothe membranes reduced the signal compared to the vehicle controlsamples. Preferably, the screens are designed to identify compounds thatantagonize the interaction between MC4-R and MC4-R ligands such asα-MSH, β-MSH and ACTH. In such screens, the MC4-R ligands are labeledand test compounds can be assayed for their ability to antagonize thebinding of labeled ligand to MC4-R.

Cell based assay systems can also be used to identify MC4-R bindingcompounds. An example of a cell based assay system is the cAMP assay,which is described in more detail below. Cell based methods may usecells that endogenously express MC4-R for screening compounds which bindto MC4-R. Alternatively, cell lines, such as 293 cells, COS cells, CHOcells, fibroblasts, and the like, genetically engineered to express theMC4-R can also be used for screening purposes. Preferably, host cellsgenetically engineered to express a functional receptor that responds toactivation by melanocortin peptides can be used as an endpoint in theassay; e.g., as measured by a chemical, physiological, biological, orphenotypic change, induction of a host cell gene or a reporter gene,change in cAMP levels, adenylyl cyclase activity, host cell G proteinactivity, extracellular acidification rate, host cell kinase activity,proliferation, differentiation, etc.

To be useful in screening assays, the host cells expressing functionalMC4-R should give a significant response to MC4-R ligand, preferablygreater than 5-fold induction over background. Host cells shouldpreferably possess a number of characteristics, depending on thereadout, to maximize the inductive response by melanocortin peptides,for example, for detecting a strong induction of a CRE reporter gene:(a) a low natural level of cAMP, (b) G proteins capable of interactingwith the MC4-R, (c) a high level of adenylyl cyclase, (d) a high levelof protein kinase A, (e) a low level of phosphodiesterases, and (f) ahigh level of cAMP response element binding protein would beadvantageous. To increase response to melanocortin peptide, host cellscould be engineered to express a greater amount of favorable factors ora lesser amount of unfavorable factors. In addition, alternativepathways for induction of the CRE reporter could be eliminated to reducebasal levels.

In using such cell systems, the cells expressing the melanocortinreceptor are exposed to a test compound or to vehicle controls (e.g.,placebos). After exposure, the cells can be assayed to measure theexpression and/or activity of components of the signal transductionpathway of the melanocortin receptor, or the activity of the signaltransduction pathway itself can be assayed. For example, after exposure,cell lysates can be assayed for induction of cAMP. The ability of a testcompound to increase levels of cAMP, above those levels seen with cellstreated with a vehicle control, indicates that the test compound inducessignal transduction mediated by the melanocortin receptor expressed bythe host cell. In screening for compounds that may act as antagonists ofMC4-R, it is necessary to include ligands that activate the MC4-R, e.g.,α-MSH, β-MSH or ACTH, to test for inhibition of signal transduction bythe test compound as compared to vehicle controls.

When it is desired to discriminate between the melanocortin receptorsand to identify compounds that selectively agonize or antagonize theMC4-R, the assays described above may be conducted using a panel of hostcells, each genetically engineered to express one of the melanocortinreceptors (MC1-R through MC5-R). Expression of the human melanocortinreceptors is preferred for drug discovery purposes. To this end, hostcells can be genetically engineered to express any of the amino acidsequences shown for melanocortin receptors 1 through 5. The cloning andcharacterization of each receptor has been described: MC1-R and MC2-R(Mountjoy., 1992, Science 257: 1248-1251; Chhajlani & Wikberg, 1992 FEBSLett. 309: 417-420); MC3-R (Roselli-Rehfuss et al., 1993, Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci., USA 90: 8856-8860; Gantz et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268:8246-8250); MC4-R (Gantz et al., 1993, J. Biol. Chem. 268: 15174-15179;Mountjoy et al., 1994, Mol. Endo. 8: 1298-1308); and MC5-R (Chhajlani etal., 1993, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 195: 866-873; Gantz et al.,1994, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 200; 1234-1220), each of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Thus, each of theforegoing sequences can be utilized to engineer a cell or cell line thatexpresses one of the melanocortin receptors for use in screening assaysdescribed herein. To identify compounds that specifically or selectivelyregulate MC4-R activity, the activation, or inhibition of MC4-Ractivation is compared to the effect of the test compound on the othermelanocortin receptors. In certain embodiments, it may be advantageousto select compounds of the invention selective for MC4-R, or,alternatively, it may be useful to select compounds which interact withother receptors as well.

In one further embodiment, the MC4-R binding compounds of the inventionare more selective for the MC4-R than at least one other MC receptors,for example, more than twice as selective, at least ten times asselective, at least twenty times as selective, at least fifty times asselective, or at least one hundred times as selective.

In one further embodiment, the MC4-R binding compounds of the inventionare more selective for the MC4-R than the MC1-R, for example, more thantwice as selective, at least ten times as selective, at least twentytimes as selective, at least fifty times as selective, or at least onehundred times as selective.

In one further embodiment, the MC4-R binding compounds of the inventionare more selective for the MC4-R than the MC3-R, for example, more thantwice as selective, at least ten times as selective, at least twentytimes as selective, at least fifty times as selective, or at least onehundred times as selective.

In one further embodiment, the MC4-R binding compounds of the inventionare more selective for the MC4-R than the MC5-R, for example, more thantwice as selective, at least ten times as selective, at least twentytimes as selective, at least fifty times as selective, or at least onehundred times as selective.

In yet another further embodiment, the MC4-R binding compounds of theinvention are more selective for the MC4-R receptor than at least one,two or three other MC receptors (such as, for example, MC1-R¹, MC3-R¹,or MC5-R). In a further embodiment, the MC4-R binding compounds are moreselective for the MC4-R than MC1-R, MC3-R, and MC5-R. In a furtherembodiment, the MC4-R binding compounds as at least ten times asselective, at least twenty times as selective, at least fifty times asselective, or at least one hundred times as selective for the MC4-R thanthe MC1-R, MC3-R and the MC5-R.

The compositions delineated herein can include additional therapeuticagents, including for example, HIV antiviral agents (e.g., reversetranscriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, proteosomeinhibitors)cardiovascular therapeutic agents, or anticancer agents(e.g., platinum agents, list).

MC4-R binding compounds may be identified using either in vitro methods,such as cell based or non-cell based methods, or in vivo methods. Thesemethods are known in the art and are described below.

Testing Methods EXAMPLE

Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA)

High-Throughput Receptor Binding Screening for MC4-R Binding Compounds

A. Preparation of Membranes from MC4-R Cells

A crude preparation of plasma membranes, of sufficient purity for use inthe scintillation proximity assay (SPA), was prepared using thefollowing protocol (Maeda et al. (1983) Biochem. Biophys. Acta731:115-120).

MC4-R cells were stable recombinant K293 cells overexpressing the MC4-R.The cells were routinely cultured and passaged in a growth mediumcomposed of DMEM base medium: 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1×Glutamine, and 0.5 mg/ml G418. Terminal cultures (i.e., those which willbe processed to produce plasma membranes) were grown in identical media,with the exception that the media contained 0.2 mg/ml G418.

At 4° C., harvested cells were pelleted and immediately washed with 25mL of PBS. The washed cells were resuspended in two volumes of STMbuffer (0.25 M sucrose, 5 mM Tris, 1 mM MgCl₂, pH 7.5), containingBoehringer Complete™ protease inhibitors. Cell breakage was accomplishedusing a Dounce homogenizer. After 20-30 strokes, nuclei and unbrokencells were pelleted by centrifugation at 1100 rpm for 5 minutes. Thesupernatant was saved and the pellet was resuspended in 1 volume ofSTM/protease inhibitors, and then a further lysis step was carried outby the Dounce homogenizer (10-20 strokes). This material was thencombined with the first supernatant. 11.25 mL of the homogenate wasgently layered on top of 27.25 mL f 42% (w/w) sucrose (5 mM Tris, 1 mMMgCl₂, pH 7.5). After spinning at 28,000 rpm (ultracentrifuge, SW-28rotor) for 90 minutes, membranes were collected at the interface with atransfer pipette.

The membrane suspension obtained from the sucrose interface wascollected and diluted with 5 mM Tris and 1 mM MgCl₂. Membranes werecollected by a further round of centrifugation at 33,000 rpm for 30minutes (SW-41 Ti rotor). The pellet of membranes was subsequentlyre-suspended in a small (0.5 mL) volume of STM, using a 2 mL Douncehomogenizer, and immediately frozen. The resulting membranes were stableto both freeze-thaw cycles and temperatures around 4° C. for at least 6hours.

B. High-Throughput Screen

A scintillation proximity assay (SPA) format ligand binding assay wasused. The membranes from the MC4-R mammalian cells (K293 expressingMC4-R) were bound to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) coated SPA beads. Themembrane coated SPA beads were added to screening plates, whichcontained the test compounds pre-dissolved in 30 μL of 10% DMSO. Afterpre-equilibration of the receptor coated beads with the test compounds(1 hour), 2 nM of radioactive ligand ([¹²⁵I]NDP-α-MSH) was added. Sincethe binding of the radioactive ligand to the receptor causes thescintillation of the beads, blockage of the binding of the radioactiveligand by a small molecule causes a reduction in scintillation.

1. Pre-Binding of the MC4-R Membranes to the WGA-SPA Beads

The membranes were mixed with the SPA beads to make a 2× stock ofmembrane and beads.

For a twenty plate batch of screening plates, the components were mixedin proportions given in Table 4. The membranes and beads were stirredwith a magnetic stir bar at room temperature for 1-2 hours to allowbinding.

TABLE 4 SPA Reagents Final Concentration Component Volume in Assay 4mg/ml WGA-SPA Beads 14.4 mL 25 μg/well MC4-R crude plasma 600 μL*  5μg/well membranes* SPA Binding Buffer 100 mL N/A *the exact amount ofmembranes used varies with the quality of the membrane preparation andmust be checked for each new batch.2. Binding Assay

The following assay was performed with automation using a TitertecMultiprop with plate stacker.

30 μL of 10% DMSO was added per well to the dried compound film in anOptiPlate. Then, 5 μL of cold NDP-α-MSH was added to the control wells.Subsequently, 50 μl per well of 2× membranes and beads were added andpre-equilibrated with the compounds for 1 hour.

Binding was initiated by adding 20 μL of radioactive ligand (a 20 nMsolution of [¹²⁵I]-NDP-α-MSH) to each test well. The plates wereincubated overnight at room temperature and read the following morning.

The reagents and amounts are summarized below in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Binding Assay Reagents Volume (μL) Max Min Reagent (100%) (0%)50% Test 20% DMSO 30 30 30 30 2× membranes + beads 60 0 60 60 2 nM[¹²⁵I]-NDP-α-MSH 20 20 20 20 in binding buffer NDP-α-MSH (5 μM in H₂O) 50 0 0 NDP-α-MSH (20 nM in H₂O) 0 0 5 0 Test Compound* 0 0 0 5 μm *Testcompound stock diluted in BuOH 1:10, 25 μL dried in assay plate in hoodprior to addition of assay buffer. Well contained 0.5 nmol of each testcompound (20/well) in 2.5 μL 100% DMSO.

The potency of the compounds was quantified with respect to positive(100% inhibition) and negative (no inhibitor; 0% inhibition) controls,using the following formula:% Inhibition={1−[cpm−(positive control)]/[(negative control)−(positivecontrol)]}*100%

EXAMPLE Membrane Binding Filtration Assay

To 96 well plates the following is added,

-   Wells 1-10 (A-H) [10×] serially diluted compound=10 μl-   Wells 11-12 (A-D) 10% DMSO/Assay Buffer=10 μl-   Wells 11-12 (E-H) 5.5 μM [N,D,P]-α-MSH (Sigma)/10% DMSO=10 μl

Assay Buffer comprising 25 mM HEPES (pH 7.0), 1.5 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM MgSO₄,0.1 M NaCl, 0.2% BSA, 1 mM 1.10 Phenanthroline, and protease inhibitors(Complete Mini EDTA-free, Roche Diagnostics) is used.

To all wells, 40 μl of 1:40 diluted human MC4 membranes (Perkin Elmer)and 50 μl of 0.5 nM ¹²⁵I-[N,D,P]-α-MSH (Amersham) are added, thenincubated at room temperature for 2 h. The supernatant is filteredthrough Unifilter GF/B (Perkin Elmer) plates (pre-equilibrated with 0.3%PEI) using ice cold Wash Buffer (25 mM HEPES (pH 7.0), 1.5 mM CaCl₂, 1mM MgSO₄, and 0.1 M NaCl). The Unifilter plates are dried, scintillationfluid added, and the amount of radioactivity measured using a 1450MicroBeta Trilux (Perkin Elmer) scintillation counter. The affinity ofthe compound is quantified as follows:% Inhibition={1−[unknown−non-specific binding]/[Total−non-specificbinding]}×100

IC50 is defined as the X value which is equal to the Y value at 50%Inhibition. The following 4 parameter logistic model allowed curvefitting using nonlinear regression and IC50 determination:Y=A+[((B−A)/(1+[(C/X)^D])];where:

-   A=Minimum Y; B=Maximum Y; C=Log IC50; D=Slope Factor;-   X value=Known X range of compound concentration;-   and Y value=Known Y values for the X range (Y is the response from 0    to 100% Inhibition; Y starts at Min and goes to Max with a sigmoidal    shape).

Ki is calculated according to the Cheng-Prusoff equation,

${Ki} = \frac{{IC}\; 50}{1 + \frac{{Ligand}\mspace{14mu}{concentration}}{Kd}}$

EXAMPLE cAMP Assay for MC4-R Antagonist Activity

MC4 receptors are expressed in stably transfected K293 cells. MC4/HEK293cells are plated (60,000 cells per well) in poly-D-lysine coated 96 wellplates (Becton Dickinson) and grown overnight in DMEM base medium (10%FBS, 1× glutamine, and 0.4 mg/ml G418) (Gibco BRL) at 37° C./5.0% CO₂.The next day, the supernatant is discarded and the cells are incubatedin 50 uL of Opti-MEM (Gibco BRL)/0.5 mM IBMX (isobutylmethylxanthine(Sigma)) for 15 min at 37° C./5% CO₂.

50 uL of [3×] serially diluted compound is added to cells and incubatedfor 10 min at 37° C./5% CO₂, followed by addition of 50 uL of [3×][N,D,P]-o(MSH (final concentration 1 nM) and incubated for 35 min at 37°C./5% CO₂. The amount of cAMP produced be cells is detected using thecAMP-Screen Immunoassay (Applied Biosystems, catalog number T1502) and1450 MicroBeta Trilux (Perkin Elmer), according to manufacturer'sinstructions. IC50 of the compound is calculated using the equationdescribed above.

EXAMPLE In Vivo Assay for Melanocortin Receptor Antagonist Activity

In vivo assays are used to test effects of melanocortin antagonists inmice. For example, compounds can be tested by monitoring acute reversalof agonist-induced decrease in feeding.

Male lean C57BL/6J mice are individually housed in macrolon cages (22±2C°; 12:12 h light/dark cycle with lights off at 6 pm). Tap water andmouse chow diet are given ad libitum. Mice are stereotaxically implantedwith a chronic guide cannula aimed to the third ventricle(intracerabroventricular) one week prior to testing.

On the evening prior to administration of compound, mice are subjectedto overnight fasting. The following morning mice are divided into threetest groups. The first group is injected intracerabroventricularly (icv)with test compound, followed 1 hour later by administration of agonistvia icv injection. The second group receives only the icv injection ofagonist, and the third control group does not receive an icv injection.Following administration, mice are replaced in their home cages and foodintake is measured at 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours after administration of thefirst injection of antagonist.

While we have described a number of embodiments of this invention, it isapparent that our basic examples may be altered to provide otherembodiments, which utilize the compounds and methods of this invention.Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of this invention is tobe defined by the appended claims rather than by the specificembodiments, which have been represented by way of example.

1. A compound of formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: X is oxygen orsulfur; G is a group G¹:

Ring C of G¹ an optionally substituted 5-6 membered aromatic ornon-aromatic ring having two or three ring nitrogens is selected fromthe group consisting of:

L¹ is a C₁₋₆ alkylidene chain optionally substituted by 1-3 R⁶ groups;R¹ is hydrogen or a C₁₋₆ aliphatic group; R² is selected from hydrogen,C₁₋₈ aliphatic, C₆₋₁₀ aryl and C₇₋₁₀ aralkyl groups, or, when Ring C isa 6-membered aromatic ring, R² is a lone electron pair; R⁴ is hydrogenor a C₁₋₈ aliphatic, C(O)(C₁₋₈ aliphatic), CO₂(C₁₋₈ aliphatic),C(═O)N(R10)(C₁₋₇ aliphatic), C₆₋₁₀ aryl, heteroaryl, C₇₋₁₂ aralkyl orheteroaralkyl group, and R⁵ is hydrogen or a C₁₋₈ aliphatic group; or R⁴and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen form a substitutedor unsubstituted, aromatic or non-aromatic, 4-14 membered monocyclic,bicyclic or tricyclic ring system having, in addition to saidintervening nitrogen, 0-4 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,sulfur and oxygen; Ring A is a 5-membered heteroaryl ring or a6-membered aromatic ring having 0-2 ring nitrogen atoms, wherein Q andC(═X)N(R¹)-G are attached at ortho positions on Ring A and wherein RingA is optionally substituted by one to three R⁷ groups; Ring B is a6-membered aromatic ring having 0-2 ring nitrogen atoms, wherein Ring Bis optionally substituted by one or more R⁸ groups; Q is a C₂₋₄alkylidene chain optionally substituted by one to three R⁹ groups; eachR⁶ is independently selected from halo, —OR¹, —CN, —C₁₋₆ aliphatic,—N(R¹⁰)₂, —C(O)(C₁₋₈ aliphatic), —CO₂R¹, —CH₂CO₂R¹ and)—C(═O)N(R¹⁰)(C₁₋₅ aliphatic) groups; each R⁷, unless forming a ring withan R⁹ group, is independently selected from halo, —NO₂ and —CN, or is asubstituted or unsubstituted group selected from —R¹², —OR¹, SR¹²,—C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —(C₆₋₁₀ aryl)alkyl,-(heterocyclyl)alkyl, -(heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,—NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,—OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂,—NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², and —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂ groups, or two adjacent R⁷ groups takentogether with their intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected fromnitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; each R⁸ is independently selected fromhalo, —NO₂ and —CN, or is a substituted or unsubstituted group selectedfrom —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —(C₆₋₁₀aryl)alkyl, -(heterocyclyl)alkyl, -(heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂,—NR¹⁰C(O)R¹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹,—C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹²,—NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², and —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂ groups, or twoadjacent R⁸ groups taken together with their intervening atoms form a5-6 membered unsaturated or partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 ringheteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; each R⁹ isindependently selected from halo, OR¹, CN, C₁₋₆ aliphatic, N(R¹⁰)₂,C(O)(C₁₋₅ aliphatic), CO₂(C₁₋₅ aliphatic and —C(═O)N(R¹⁰)(C₁₋₅aliphatic) groups, or R⁹ and an R⁷ group, at a position ortho to Q,taken together with their intervening atoms form a 5-7 memberedunsaturated or partially saturated ring having 0-2 ring heteroatomsselected from N, O and S; each R¹⁰ is independently selected fromhydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic groups, C(═O)R¹, CO₂R¹and SO₂R¹ groups, or two R¹⁰ groups on the same nitrogen taken togetherwith the nitrogen form a 5-8 membered aromatic or non-aromatic ringhaving, in addition to the nitrogen, 0-2 ring heteroatoms selected fromN, O and S; each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen, CO₂R¹²,CON(R¹²)₂, OR¹² and optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic groups; andeach R¹² is independently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₈aliphatic groups.
 2. The compound or salt of claim 1 having one or moreof features (a)-(g): (a) X is oxygen; (b) L¹ is a C₂₋₃ alkylidene chain;(c) Q is —CH₂CH₂—; (d) G¹ is

(e) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₄ aliphaticgroup, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen forma 5-6 membered ring; (f) Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl orthienyl group; (g) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl group. 3.The compound or salt of claim 2 wherein: (a) X is oxygen; (b) L¹ is aC₂₋₃ alkylidene chain; (c) Q is —CH₂CH₂—; (d) G¹ is

(e) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₄ aliphaticgroup, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen forma 5-6 membered ring; (f) Ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl orthienyl group; and (g) Ring B is a substituted phenyl or naphthyl group.4. The compound or salt of claim 1 having one or more of features(a)-(g): (a) X is oxygen; (b) L¹ is —CH₂CH₂—or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—; (c) Q is—CH₂CH₂—; (d) G¹ is

(e) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₃ aliphaticgroup, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen forma piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl ring; (f) Ring Ais an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl group; (g) Ring B is asubstituted phenyl or naphthyl group.
 5. The compound or salt of claim 1wherein: (a) X is oxygen; (b) L¹ is —CH₂CH₂—or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—; (c) Q is—CH₂CH₂—; (d) G¹ is

(e) R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently selected from a C₁₋₃ aliphaticgroup, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen forma piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl or morpholinyl ring; (f) Ring Ais an optionally substituted phenyl or thienyl group; and (g) Ring B isa substituted phenyl or naphthyl group.
 6. The compound or salt thereofof claim 1, wherein the compound is of formula II-A or II-B:

wherein: R¹ and R² are each hydrogen; R³ is hydrogen; L¹ is —CH₂CH₂—or—CH₂CH₂CH₂—; R⁷ is absent or is -halo, —NO₂, —CN, or a substituted orunsubstituted group selected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —C₆₋₁₀ aryl,-heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —(C₆₋₁₀ aryl)alkyl, -(heterocyclyl)alkyl,-(heteroaryl)alkyl,)—N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,—NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹²,—SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², and —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂groups, or two adjacent R⁷ groups taken together with their interveningatoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated or partially unsaturated ringhaving 0-2 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; R⁸ is-halo, —NO₂, —CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted group selected from—R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —C₆₋₁₀aryl)alkyl, -(heterocyclyl)alkyl, -heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂,—NR¹⁰C(O)R¹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹,—C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹²,—NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², and —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂,groups, or twoadjacent R⁸ groups taken together with their intervening atoms form a5-6 membered unsaturated or partially unsaturated ring having 0-2heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; (i) R⁴ and R⁵ areeach independently selected from a C₁₋₄ aliphatic group, or (ii) R⁴ andR⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen form a 5-6 memberedring, or (iii) R⁵ is a C₁₋₄ aliphatic group and R⁴ is aryl, aralkyl,heteroaryl or heteroaralkyl; each R¹³ is independently selected fromhydrogen, C₁₋₆ aliphatic, C(O)R¹, CO₂R¹, CN,)—N(R¹⁰)₂, C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂ and—OR¹ groups, or two R¹³ groups on the same carbon taken together form═O, or two R¹³ groups taken together with their intervening atoms form a3-7 membered ring having 0-2 ring heteroatoms; each R¹⁰ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic groups,C(O)R¹, CO₂R¹ and SO₂R¹ groups, or two R¹⁰ groups on the same nitrogentaken together with the nitrogen form a 5-8 membered aromatic ornon-aromatic ring having, in addition to the nitrogen, 0-2 ringheteroatoms selected from N, O and S; each R¹¹ is independently selectedfrom hydrogen and optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic groups; and eachR¹² is independently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphaticgroups.
 7. The compound or salt of claim 6 wherein: R¹ and R² are eachhydrogen; R³ is hydrogen; L¹ is —CH₂CH₂—or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—; R⁷ is absent oris -halo, —CN, —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,—NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,—OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, or—NR¹⁰SO₂R¹²; R⁸ is -halo, —CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted groupselected from —R¹², —OR¹, —SR¹², —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹²,—CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂,—S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂ and —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹² groups, or two adjacent R⁸groups taken together with their intervening atoms form a 5-6 memberedunsaturated or partially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatomsselected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; R⁴ and R⁵ are eachindependently C₁₋₃ alkyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with theirintervening nitrogen form a 5-6 membered ring; each R¹³ is hydrogen;each R¹⁰ is hydrogen; each R¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogenand optionally substituted C₁₋₅ aliphatic groups; and each R¹² isindependently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₅ aliphaticgroups.
 8. The compound or salt of claim 7 wherein: R⁷ is absent or ishalo; and Ring B is a naphthyl ring.
 9. The compound or salt thereof ofclaim 1, wherein the compound is of formula III-A or III-B:

wherein: R¹ and R² are each hydrogen; R³ is hydrogen; L¹ is —CH₂CH₂—or—CH₂CH₂CH₂—; R⁷ is absent or is -halo, —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹ or —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,or two adjacent R⁷ groups taken together with their intervening atomsform a 5-6 membered unsaturated or partially unsaturated ring having 0-2heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; R⁸ is -halo,—NO₂, —CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted group selected from —R¹²,—OR¹, —SR¹², —C₆₋₁₀ aryl, -heterocyclyl, -heteroaryl, —C₆₋₁₀-aryl)alkyl,-(heterocyclyl)alkyl, -heteroaryl)alkyl, —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹,—NR¹⁰C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹, —C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂,—OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹², —NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂,—NR¹⁰SO₂R¹², and —C(═NH)—N(R¹⁰)₂ groups, or two adjacent R⁸ groups takentogether with their intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms selected fromnitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently C₁₋₃alkyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen forma 5-6 membered ring; each R¹³ is independently selected from hydrogen,C₁₋₆ aliphatic, C(O)R¹, CO₂R¹, CN,)—N(R¹⁰)₂, C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂ and -OR¹groups, or two R¹³ groups on the same carbon taken together form ═O, ortwo R¹³ groups taken together with their intervening atoms form a 3-7membered ring having 0-2 ring heteroatoms; each R¹⁰ is independentlyselected from hydrogen, optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic groups,C(O)R¹, CO₂R¹ and SO₂R¹ groups, or two R¹⁰ groups on the same nitrogentaken together with the nitrogen form a 5-8 membered aromatic ornon-aromatic ring having, in addition to the nitrogen, 0-2 ringheteroatoms selected from N, O and S; each R¹¹ is independently selectedfrom hydrogen and optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphatic groups; and eachR¹² is independently selected from optionally substituted C₁₋₈ aliphaticgroups.
 10. The compound or salt of claim 9 wherein: R¹, R² and R³ areeach hydrogen; L¹ is —CH₂CH₂— or —CH₂CH₂CH₂—; R⁷ is absent; R⁸ is -halo,—CN, or a substituted or unsubstituted group selected from —R¹², —OR¹,—SR¹², —N(R¹⁰)₂, —NR¹⁰C(O)R¹, —NR¹⁰CO₂R¹², —CO₂R¹, —C(O)R¹,—C(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —OC(O)N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)₂R¹², —SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, —S(O)R¹²,—NR¹⁰SO₂N(R¹⁰)₂, and —NR¹⁰SO₂R¹² groups, or two adjacent R⁸ groups takentogether with their intervening atoms form a 5-6 membered unsaturated orpartially unsaturated ring having 0-2 heteroatoms selected fromnitrogen, oxygen and sulfur; R⁴ and R⁵ are each independently C₁₋₃alkyl, or R⁴ and R⁵ taken together with their intervening nitrogen forma 5-6 membered ring; each R¹³ is hydrogen; each R¹⁰ is hydrogen; eachR¹¹ is independently selected from hydrogen and optionally substitutedC₁₋₅ aliphatic groups; and each R¹² is independently selected fromoptionally substituted C₁₋₅ aliphatic groups.
 11. The compound or saltof claim 7 wherein: Ring B is a phenyl ring having two R⁸ substituentsthat are para to one another, each R⁸ being independently selected fromhalo, C₁₋₄ alkyl, C₁₋₃ alkoxy, CO(C₁₋₃ alkyl), CONH(C₁₋₃ alkyl),SO₂(C₁₋₃ alkyl), and SO₂NH(C₁₋₃ alkyl), or Ring B is a naphthyl ring.12. The compound or salt thereof according to claim 1, wherein thecompound is selected from the group consisting of:


13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound or salt accordingto claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 14. A method foralleviating or halting progression of symptoms of a weight loss disorderin a patient in need thereof, comprising administering to said patient acompound of formula I in claim 1 or a salt thereof, wherein the weightloss disorder is a cachexia, aging involuntary weight loss, catabolicwasting or anorexia.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the weight lossdisorder is a cachexia selected from the group consisting of cancercachexia, cardiac cachexia, chronic illness cachexia and AIDS cachexia.16. A method for alleviating or halting progression of symptoms of abone associated disorder in a patient in need thereof, comprisingadministering to said patient a compound of formula I in claim 1 or asalt thereof, wherein the bone associated disorder is osteoporosis, bonefractures, bone formation associated with surgical procedures,osteogenesis imperfecta, hypophosphatasia, Paget's disease, fibrousdysplasia, osteopetrosis, myeloma bone disease, or the depletion ofcalcium in bone.
 17. A method for alleviating or halting progression ofsymptoms of a neuronal disorder in a patient in need thereof, comprisingadministering to said patient a compound of formula I in claim 1 or asalt thereof, wherein the neuronal disorder is neuropathic pain orallodynia.
 18. A method of inhibiting MC4-R activity in a patient inneed thereof comprising administering to said patient a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound of formula I in claim 1 or a saltthereof.